New Delhi (India), February 10: Opposition leaders have expressed their discontent after former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his position following two years of escalating violence in the state. The resignation came amid widespread unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which has severely disrupted normalcy in Manipur.
CPI Member of Parliament P Sandosh Kumar criticized Singh’s resignation, claiming it came too late. “After causing damage to the state and its people, Singh has finally resigned. We, in the opposition, have been demanding his resignation since the onset of the turmoil two years ago,” Kumar said. He also questioned the BJP’s delayed action, stating that the party allowed Singh to remain in power despite repeated calls for his removal from opposition parties.
Kumar further demanded an explanation from the BJP regarding the reasoning behind Singh’s resignation, asking, “What is the logic behind his resignation now?”
Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala also weighed in, stating that the resignation came only after Congress planned to bring a privilege motion against the government and ministers in the Manipur assembly. “After so many months, the resignation has come only when they realised that the Congress is planning a privilege motion. The opposition, especially the Congress party, is committed to ensuring justice for the people of Manipur,” Chamala stated.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy joined the chorus of criticism, asserting that Singh should have resigned much earlier. “Had he resigned earlier, many of the losses in Manipur could have been prevented. There was internal opposition from within the BJP itself, with eight BJP MLAs voicing their dissent against him,” Roy remarked.
Singh tendered his resignation to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhawan on Sunday. His resignation follows nearly two years of violence that began on May 3, 2023, after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM), triggered by a court order urging the state to consider adding the Meitei community to the Scheduled Tribes list.
Biren Singh was accompanied by BJP President A Sharda, BJP’s North East Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra, and at least 19 MLAs during the submission of his resignation.