Biren Singh Resigns as Manipur CM Amid Leadership Crisis, Assembly Session Scrapped

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stepped down, marking the end of his tenure amid growing dissent within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a looming no-confidence motion by the Congress.

His resignation, submitted to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, comes nearly two years after ethnic violence erupted in the state.

Political Crisis and BJP Dissension

Despite the BJP holding a majority, there were concerns that MLAs opposing Singh’s leadership might defy the party whip in a floor test.

The withdrawal of support by Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP) added to the instability. To avoid a political crisis, Singh consulted with the central leadership before resigning.

BJP Leadership’s Intervention

Before his resignation, Singh traveled to Delhi, where he held discussions with BJP President JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Over a dozen BJP MLAs had been advocating for a change in leadership, with Speaker Y Khemchand Singh also in disagreement with the CM. Some rebel MLAs reportedly met Amit Shah, urging action against Singh.

Cancellation of Manipur Assembly Budget Session

Following Singh’s resignation, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla announced the cancellation of the budget session of the Manipur Assembly, which was set to begin the same day.

BJP’s Justification for Singh’s Resignation

Manipur BJP President A Sharda Devi defended the decision, stating that Singh stepped down to protect the state’s integrity and ensure public welfare.

“Since 2017, Biren Singh has worked tirelessly for Manipur’s development. His resignation underscores his commitment to the state’s integrity,” she said.

Congress Reacts to Singh’s Resignation

The opposition Congress party deemed Singh’s resignation as long overdue. Rahul Gandhi posted on X:

“The resignation of CM Biren Singh shows that mounting public pressure, the Supreme Court investigation, and the no-confidence motion by the Congress have forced a reckoning.”

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticized Singh’s tenure, calling the resignation a delayed decision. He further added:

“For nearly two years, the BJP’s CM instigated division in Manipur. The Prime Minister allowed him to continue despite the violence and loss of life.”

Leaked Audio Tapes and Supreme Court Investigation

The opposition’s calls for Singh’s removal intensified after a Kuki community member approached the Supreme Court, alleging that Singh instigated the ethnic violence in the state.

The claim was based on leaked audio tapes, purportedly featuring Singh, where he allegedly admitted to orchestrating the violence.

A forensic analysis by Truth Labs confirmed a 93% match between the leaked audio and Singh’s voice.

The Supreme Court has since sought a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) regarding the authenticity of the recordings.

Ethnic Conflict and Political Fallout

The ethnic clashes in Manipur, which erupted in May 2023, led to over 250 deaths and the displacement of thousands.

Singh’s resignation follows months of Meitei-Kuki tensions, with both communities reacting differently to his departure.

Meitei groups expressed concerns that Singh’s exit could embolden Kuki separatist forces. Former Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba remarked:

“I don’t think it was the right time for Singh to resign. This move strengthens Kuki separatist forces.”

Conversely, Kuki organizations, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), welcomed Singh’s departure but insisted their demand for a separate administration must still be met.

The BJP’s Internal Struggles

Several BJP MLAs threatened to sit in the opposition if Singh continued in office.

With the party’s recent electoral successes in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi, the central leadership wanted to avoid an internal crisis that could overshadow its political gains.

BJP’s Kuki MLAs openly celebrated Singh’s resignation, with MLA Paolienlal Haokip stating:

“Good riddance.”

Governor’s Statement and Next Steps

Following Singh’s resignation, Governor Bhalla released a statement confirming that Singh and the Council of Ministers had stepped down.

However, Singh has been asked to continue in office until alternative arrangements are made.

Meanwhile, BJP’s northeast in-charge Sambit Patra has remained in Imphal to oversee the process of selecting Singh’s successor.

Calls for Leadership Change and Future Implications

With Singh’s exit, the BJP’s state leadership faces the task of finding a replacement who can restore stability in Manipur.

The party must also mend relations with regional allies, including the NPP, which withdrew support in November 2024 due to Singh’s handling of the crisis.

Supreme Court’s Upcoming Hearing

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing regarding the leaked audio tapes for March 25. A verdict on this case could have far-reaching consequences for the BJP’s image in Manipur.