The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday appointed Yumnam Khemchand Singh as its legislative party leader in Manipur, clearing the way for the formation of a new BJP-led government in the northeastern state nearly a year after President’s Rule was imposed following large-scale ethnic violence.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, marking a significant political development just days before the one-year period of President’s Rule in Manipur comes to an end.
Experienced leader with long political career
Yumnam Khemchand Singh is a seasoned politician and has held several key positions in the state government. He previously served as a minister in the N Biren Singh-led BJP government before central rule was imposed.
Singh was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly from the Singjamei constituency in both 2017 and 2022. During his first term, he served as the Speaker of the Assembly until 2022.
After retaining his seat in the 2022 elections, Singh became a cabinet minister in the second Biren Singh ministry, handling multiple portfolios including Municipal Administration and Housing Development (MAHUD), Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Education.
He remained in office until February 2025, when President’s Rule was imposed in the state.
Manipur set for BJP-led government
With Singh’s election as legislature party leader, the next step will be a meeting of the BJP’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners in Manipur, according to news agency ANI.
President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 last year and was later extended by Parliament in August for another six months. While the elected government was dismissed, the state legislative assembly was not dissolved, allowing the formation of a new government without fresh elections.
This means the incoming BJP-led government can continue in office until 2027, when the current Assembly’s tenure ends.
In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, the BJP holds a clear majority with 37 seats, while its key ally, the National People’s Party (NPP), has seven MLAs.
Former chief minister N Biren Singh confirmed on Sunday that NDA partners from the state had been called to Delhi for consultations. “Let’s hope for a positive response,” he told reporters.
Background of ethnic violence
N Biren Singh had stepped down as chief minister after months of intermittent violence triggered by ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki Zo communities.
The violence erupted on May 3, 2023, and quickly spread across large parts of the state, resulting in widespread unrest.
In December 2025, the Union Home Ministry granted another extension to the commission probing the violence, directing it to submit its report “as soon as possible, but no later than May 20, 2026.”