All eyes are now on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership over its next step in strife-torn Manipur, a day after President’s rule was imposed in the northeastern State and the Assembly put under suspended animation.
“Security has been beefed up across the State following the Centre’s announcement of President’s rule,” officials said. President’s rule was imposed in Manipur and the Assembly put under suspended animation on Thursday evening (February 13, 2025), days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his post that led to political uncertainty in the State.
The decision came as the BJP failed to build a consensus on a Chief Ministerial candidate, despite having several rounds of discussions between its northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and legislators. Mr. Singh, who was heading the BJP government in Manipur, resigned as Chief Minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence that has claimed more than 250 lives so far. The Manipur Assembly has a tenure till 2027.
Officials said on Friday (February 14, 2025) that security forces were on high alert in State capital Imphal, particularly around the Raj Bhavan and the CM Secretariat.
“The Manipur Police increased delopyment of personnel in Imphal area, especially in front of Kangla Gate, Sanjenthong, Moirangkhom, Keisampat and Konung Mamang,” an officer said.
“The precautionary measures were put in place to prevent any unwanted activities by miscreants who want to take advantage of the prevailing political situation,” another official said.
Talking to reporters soon after the announcement of President’s rule, Manipur BJP president A. Sharda had said on Thursday (February 13, 2025) that the Assembly has been put under suspended animation in accordance with the constitutional process, and asserted that the House had not been dissolved yet. She said once the situation improves in the State, the House can be reinstated.
Stalemate continues in Manipur over successor to Biren
Reacting to the development, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said it is a belated admission by the BJP of their complete inability to govern Manipur. “Now, PM Modi can no longer deny his direct responsibility for Manipur,” he said in a post on X.
“Has he finally made up his mind to visit the State, and explain to the people of Manipur and India his plan to restore peace and normalcy?” Mr. Gandhi said.
In another post on X, Congress general secretary, Communications, Jairam Ramesh said, “Finally what the Indian National Congress has been demanding for almost 20 months has happened. President’s rule has been imposed in Manipur.” Meanwhile, the Manipur CPI(M) unit said the President’s rule should be immediately revoked and fresh elections held at the earliest.
93% probability that voice in leaked audio is of Manipur CM: Truth Labs
CPI(M) State committee secretary Ksh Santa told reporters that the party, along with other like-minded ones, will stand for Manipur’s territorial integrity during President’s rule. He also claimed that the selfish quest for power among legislators brought the State to such a situation.
Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) leader Ginza Vualzong said President’s rule will give a ray of hope to the Kuki-Zo community and added that having a new Meitei Chief Minister is “far from comforting.”
“The Kuki-Zo do not trust the Meitei anymore, so a new Meitei CM is still far from comforting. The President’s rule will give a ray of hope to the Kuki-Zo, and we believe that it will be one step closer to our political solution,” he said.
Constitutional crisis in Manipur forced imposition of President’s rule: Congress
The Congress also said the imposition of President’s rule in Manipur is a direct admission of the failure of the BJP governments at the Centre and the State and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to the people of the State.
In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there is a Constitutional crisis in Manipur that forced the imposition of President’s rule.
“Narendra Modi ji, It is your party which has been ruling at the Centre for 11 years. It is your party which was ruling Manipur for eight years. It is the BJP which was responsible for maintaining Law & Order in the State. It is your government which is responsible for National Security and border patrol. The imposition of President’s rule by YOU, suspending YOUR own party’s government is a direct admission on how YOU failed the people of Manipur,” Mr. Kharge said.
Mr. Kharge said the government has imposed President’s rule not because it wanted to, but because there is a Constitutional crisis in the State, as none of the NDA MLAs are willing to accept the “baggage of your incompetence”.
“Your “Double Engine” ran over the lives of the innocent people of Manipur! High time you now step in Manipur and listen to the pain and trauma of the suffering people and apologise to them. Do you have the courage of conviction?” Mr. Kharge asked. The Congress chief said the people of Manipur will not forgive Prime Minister Modi and his party.
