On Thursday, President’s rule was imposed in Manipur, days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 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 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 declaration read.
The Manipur assembly has also been suspended, in accordance with the rules.
Since May 2023, Manipur has witnessed an ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Approximately 250 people have died in clashes, and thousands have been displaced.
Why President’s Rule has been imposed in Manipur?
The announcement comes as the state BJP has been unable to reach an agreement on a Chief Ministerial candidate, resulting in the failure to convene the assembly.
Biren Singh resigned in the face of widespread dissatisfaction, submitting his resignation to the Governor on Sunday following a meeting with the Central leadership in Delhi.
Singh submitted his resignation to Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal on February 9, a day before the state assembly was scheduled to meet for the budget session, which was cancelled.
“It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur so far. “I am extremely grateful to the central government for timely actions, interventions, developmental work, and the implementation of various projects to protect the interests of every Manipur resident,” Singh stated in his resignation letter.
The resignation came five days after the Supreme Court ordered a central forensics lab to conduct an investigation into leaked audio tapes in which Singh is alleged to have stated that ethnic violence in the state was instigated at his insistence.
Since Biren Singh resigned, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers in Manipur have been scrambling to find a replacement.
BJP lawmakers held a series of meetings this week with the party’s north-east coordinator, Sambit Patra, but were unable to reach an agreement on the next Manipur chief minister.
Patra met with governor Ajay Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, accompanied by BJP Manipur chief Sharda Devi and at least three lawmakers.
While the party or Raj Bhavan did not issue a statement, people familiar with the situation said the leaders may have informed Bhalla that they had yet to decide on Singh’s replacement.
