April 12, 2025
Two months after N. Biren Singh resigned as Manipur’s Chief Minister under BJP high command’s directive, his X (formerly Twitter) activity reveals his political focus. From February 12 to April 12, 2025, Singh’s posts highlight governance, Meitei cultural pride, security issues like illegal immigration and drug trafficking, and loyalty to the BJP. Strikingly, he ignores BJP President J.P. Nadda entirely while favoring Union Home Minister Amit Shah over Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a wide margin.
Singh reposted Shah’s updates 45 times during this period, compared to just five for Modi and none for Nadda. He also shared posts from BJP leaders like Amit Malviya, B.L. Santosh, and Sambit Patra. This alignment with Shah reflects the Home Minister’s oversight of Manipur’s volatile security landscape and Singh’s reliance on central support amid scrutiny over a controversial tape in the Supreme Court. (“controversial tape” referring to audio recordings that have created political controvery within the region.) “Shah’s frequent reposts highlight his direct role in Manipur’s affairs,” a political analyst noted, suggesting Singh sees him as a key patron.
The late Shri P.A. Sangma once advocated for dividing the Northeast into smaller states along ethnic lines, a dangerous idea that threatened the unity of our Nation. Today, we are seeing similar attempts to interfere in Manipur’s internal affairs to destabilise the state.… pic.twitter.com/NMX6zhVrbe
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) March 31, 2025
Before his resignation, Singh’s reposting habits differed. From January 12 to February 12, 2025, he shared 11 of Modi’s posts and seven of Nadda’s, while Shah’s frequency remained steady.
Since ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, Modi has maintained distance from both the state and Singh. Their last reported meeting was on July 28, 2024, in New Delhi—the first since the violence began—during a closed-door discussion with Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, following NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) and BJP Chief Ministers’ meetings.
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In contrast, Shah frequently engaged Singh. Between May 3, 2023, and February 9, 2025, they met at least nine times, focusing on Manipur’s ethnic violence and security:
• May 14, 2023: Singh and state leaders met Shah in New Delhi to discuss the May 3 violence.
• May 15, 2023: Singh joined Shah and Meitei-Kuki representatives in New Delhi to restore peace.
• May 29, 2023: Shah visited Imphal, chairing a meeting with Singh and ministers on security.
• May 30, 2023: Singh attended Shah’s discussions in Imphal with community leaders.
• June 25, 2023: Singh briefed Shah in New Delhi for 45 minutes, post an all-party meeting.
• November 30, 2023: Singh met Shah in New Delhi to discuss Manipur, including insurgent issues.
• February 3, 2024: Singh and Shah discussed critical state matters in New Delhi.
• July 28, 2024: Singh met Shah, Modi, and Rajnath Singh in New Delhi post-NITI Aayog events.
• February 9, 2025: Singh met Shah in New Delhi for 15–20 minutes before resigning.
Reports also note multiple video conferences, though specific dates are unavailable. The total number of meetings may be higher, but nine in-person meetings are confirmed.
The Election Commission’s decision to link Electors Photo Identity Card with Aadhaar is a welcome move to enhance electoral transparency and prevent malpractices. This step, backed by constitutional provisions and Supreme Court judgments, is crucial for maintaining the integrity… pic.twitter.com/MHwfnAENt7
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) March 18, 2025
Cultural Pride and Security
Singh’s own posts emphasize BJP-led progress—roads, healthcare, education—tied to “Viksit Bharat.” Cultural updates on festivals like Yaoshang or Manipuri icons, often in English, Manipuri, or Hindi, reinforce his Meitei roots. On ethnic violence, Singh highlights peace talks and relief efforts, blaming opposition parties like Congress for instigation, while leveraging Shah’s posts to project a united state-central front.
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As a Meitei, Singh celebrates traditional sports like polo and institutions like the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple, where he serves as temple board president, resonating with local sentiments. Security remains a priority—he defends policies like Inner Line Permit enforcement and poppy cultivation crackdowns as protecting Manipur’s integrity. A recent post on biometric identification sparked debate, with critics arguing it deepens communal divides. Singh counters by accusing past governments of neglecting hilly areas, emphasizing peace-building.
Comparing Reposts: Shah, Modi, and Nadda
Singh’s reposting pattern reflects strategic priorities. Shah’s 45 reposts dominate, amplifying policies like border control that address local concerns, underscoring his hands-on role in Manipur’s security. Modi’s five reposts, limited to national milestones like budget announcements, suggest restraint, likely due to the Prime Minister’s perceived silence on Manipur’s unrest. Nadda’s zero reposts—a sharp drop from seven in January 12–February 12, 2025—signal a shift from broader party leadership to Shah’s targeted influence. This contrast highlights Singh’s focus on leveraging Shah’s authority to navigate Manipur’s challenges, selectively engaging Modi’s national narrative, and sidelining Nadda’s organizational role.
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