Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023. Days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned, President’s Rule was imposed in the state on Thursday.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that President Droupadi Murmu believes "a situation has arisen in which the government of that state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution."
"Now, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I hereby proclaim that I – assume to myself as President of India all functions of the Government of the State of Manipur and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of that State," the notification read.
As per constitutional provisions, the Manipur Assembly has been placed under suspended animation.
Why has President's rule been imposed?
The imposition follows the BJP’s failure to reach a consensus on a Chief Ministerial candidate, which resulted in an inability to convene the assembly.
Biren Singh resigned on February 9, a day before the budget session was scheduled to begin. His resignation came after a meeting with the central leadership in Delhi.
Also read: Security agencies on high alert following President’s rule in Manipur
"It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur. I am extremely grateful to the central government for its timely actions, interventions, developmental work, and implementation of various projects for safeguarding Manipur’s interests," Singh stated in his resignation letter.
The resignation came five days after the Supreme Court directed a central forensic lab to submit a report on leaked audio tapes allegedly featuring Singh, in which he purportedly claims that the ethnic violence in the state was instigated at his insistence.
Since Singh’s resignation, BJP lawmakers in Manipur have been struggling to appoint his successor.
Despite multiple meetings with BJP's northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, no consensus was reached on the next Chief Minister.
On Tuesday, Patra, BJP Manipur chief Sharda Devi, and three legislators met Governor Ajay Bhalla at Raj Bhavan. Sources indicated that they may have informed the Governor of the ongoing leadership deadlock.
Adding to the political crisis was the constitutional deadline under Article 174 (1), which mandates that the state assembly must convene within six months of its last adjournment—August 12, 2024—making February 12, 2025, the final date.
The imposition of President’s Rule has further intensified political uncertainty in Manipur, as security remains heightened amid continuing ethnic tensions.
Also read: President's rule imposed in Manipur
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