Imphal, February 4, 2026 — Yumnam Khemchand Singh has staked his claim to lead Manipur, setting the stage for a new government after a period of President’s Rule. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 PM today, marking a potential turning point for the strife-hit state.
A New Chapter for Manipur: BJP Leader Steps Forward
After a year under central rule, Manipur is poised to have an elected government once again.
- President’s Rule in Manipur, which began in February 2025, was revoked earlier today.
- Yumnam Khemchand Singh, leader of the BJP Manipur Legislature Party, formally requested to form a government.
- The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Lok Bhavan in Imphal at 6:00 PM.
- The Kuki-Zo Council has decided not to participate in the new government.
- The BJP currently holds 37 seats in the 60-member Manipur Assembly.
The move comes after President’s Rule was lifted earlier on Wednesday, paving the way for a popular government to be re-established. Mr. Khemchand met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan in Imphal to formally submit his claim to form a BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Q: What prompted the change in government in Manipur?
A: President’s Rule was in effect since February 2025 due to ongoing unrest. With no constitutional extension possible without parliamentary action, the central government moved to restore an elected government, aiming to bring together legislators from different communities.
Two Kuki-Zo MLAs, L.M. Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate, were also present during the meeting with the Governor. Mr. Khemchand expressed optimism about the future, stating in a Facebook post, “I am confident that with the formation of the new Council of Ministers, peace and development will serve as the guiding principles of the new government.” He further emphasized the commitment to achieving the goals of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and “Viksit Manipur” (Developed Manipur).
Challenges Ahead for the New Government
Despite the optimism, the path forward isn’t without hurdles. The Kuki-Zo Council, representing the Kuki-Zo people, has reaffirmed its decision not to participate in the government formation. The council has also cautioned Kuki-Zo MLAs who may join the government, stating they will be “held responsible for consequences arising from such unilateral decisions” if they disregard the collective will of the people.
The BJP currently commands a majority with 37 MLAs, including seven from the Kuki-Zo community. The 60-member assembly also includes six MLAs from the National People’s Party (NPP) and five from the Naga People’s Front.
Parliament previously approved a six-month extension of President’s Rule on August 5, 2025, which was set to expire on February 13. The move to form a new government now avoids the need for further extensions and aims to address the political complexities within the state.
The formation of this new government will be closely watched as Manipur navigates a path toward stability and development.
