From Taekwondo champion to Manipur CM: Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s path to power

Yumnam Khemchand Singh

• Yumnam Khemchand Singh becomes Manipur CM, ending President's rule.
• President's rule revoked after nearly a year in conflict-hit Manipur
• Singh is a senior BJP leader, ex-Speaker, and two-time MLA from Singjamei

Did our AI summary help?

BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday, bringing an end to nearly a year of President’s rule in the conflict-hit state.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhavan in Imphal in the presence of BJP legislators, senior party functionaries and NDA leaders from the state.

President’s rule, which had been imposed on February 13 last year, was formally revoked earlier in the day. The central rule had come into effect after former chief minister N Biren Singh stepped down amid criticism over his government’s handling of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that began in May 2023.

Who is Yumnam Khemchand Singh

Yumnam Khemchand Singh is a senior BJP leader and a two-time MLA from the Singjamei constituency. He was elected leader of the BJP legislature party on Tuesday, clearing the path for his appointment as chief minister.

A member of the Meitei community, Singh has held several key positions in Manipur politics. He served as Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from 2017 to 2022.

He later joined the second Biren Singh government as a cabinet minister, handling portfolios including Municipal Administration and Housing Development, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Education.

He has also drawn attention for outreach efforts during the state’s unrest. In December last year, Singh became the first Meitei MLA to visit relief camps housing internally displaced persons from the Kuki community in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, where he interacted with residents.

Beyond politics, the 62-year-old is known for his interest in martial arts. He became the first Indian to receive a fifth-dan black belt in traditional Taekwondo, conferred by the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation in Seoul last year.