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Manipur’s prolonged political vacuum has prompted a ruling party legislator to call for fresh elections, as the state continues under President’s Rule with no clarity on government formation six months after the assembly was placed under Central administration.

 

BJP MLA L Rameshwor Meetei on Thursday said the situation had reached a point where the Centre must either facilitate the formation of a stable government or allow the electorate to return to the polls. His remarks reflect growing unease within the state unit of the party, which has been grappling with an extended constitutional impasse amid the ongoing ethnic conflict.

 

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, the Keirao legislator said, “There are like-minded BJP legislators among us who have chosen Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata to lead in government formation. We are also prepared to convey this to the governor to stake claim for forming the government, but have been waiting for a favourable time.”

 

The current uncertainty follows months of political paralysis in Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule since May after the previous BJP-led government failed to navigate the deepening ethnic crisis between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

 

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Despite several rounds of Central intervention, including high-level visits and security reviews, the process of government formation has remained stalled. Meetei claimed that legislators “from both the hills and the valley” were ready to support an arrangement to restore state administration. He warned that further delay could erode public confidence in the party.

 

“I think if the government is not formed in November, the party’s position will not be favourable. If a government cannot be formed, fresh elections should be held,” he said.

 

The Centre is yet to indicate whether it will push for a political resolution before the end of the year, even as pressure mounts from within the ruling party to restore an elected government in the violence-hit state.

 

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