BJP's Yumnam Khemchand Singh set to be Manipur's new CM

BJP’s Yumnam Khemchand Singh (L) set to take over as Manipur CM

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh has been elected as the leader of the legislative party and is set to be the new chief minister of Manipur.

The development came after a meeting of the BJP MLAs from Manipur in the national capital on Tuesday, days ahead of the end of the President's rule in the northeastern state.

President's rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 last year and was later extended by Parliament in August last year for another six months. The 60-member Assembly was put on suspended animation after President's rule was imposed.

"It's good that we are going to have an elected government, a popular government. It's long overdue. So we thank the central leadership for finally taking this step... Every problem has a solution. I think with the guidance of the central leadership and the new ministry, under the leadership of Yumnam Khemchand, we will find a solution," said BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh.

Former Manipur CM N Biren Singh said on Sunday that NDA partners in the state have been called to Delhi for a meeting. "All NDA partners have been invited....Let's hope for a positive response," Biren Singh told reporters.

Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, after then Chief Minister N Biren Singh stepped down in the wake of months of sporadic violence arising from ethnic tensions between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.

In December, the Union Home Ministry extended the deadline for the Commission of Inquiry investigating the violence, setting May 20, 2026, as the final date for submission of its report.

The commission is tasked with investigating the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, examining the causes as well as the response of authorities.

Currently, there are 37 BJP MLAs in Manipur. Initially, 32 BJP candidates had won the 2022 assembly elections. The JD(U) had won six seats, and five of its MLAs later defected to the BJP.

Among others, six are from the National People's Party, five from the Naga People's Front, five from the Congress, two from the Kuki People's Alliance, one from Janata Dal (United) and three Independents.

One seat is vacant following the death of a sitting MLA.