Biren Singh resigns as CM
Imphal/New Delhi: The northeastern hill state of Manipur, which has been experiencing violence for approximately two years and is facing a constitutional crisis, was placed under President’s Rule this evening. This decision follows the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who stepped down in anticipation of a no-confidence motion and a floor test threatened by the Congress party. This marks the 11th instance of President’s Rule being imposed in the state since 1951.
A statement from President Droupadi Murmu’s office indicated that after reviewing a report from Governor Ajay Bhalla, and considering additional information, she concluded that the current situation rendered it impossible for the state government to function in accordance with the Constitution of India.
The central government’s intervention occurred as the state BJP struggled to reach a consensus on a new Chief Ministerial candidate, resulting in the assembly not being convened.
Biren Singh resigned amid significant dissent within the party, submitting his resignation to the Governor on Sunday following discussions with the Central leadership in Delhi.
Sambit Patra, the BJP’s northeast in-charge, has been engaged in talks with party MLAs in Imphal. However, sources indicate that despite some initial progress on Tuesday, no definitive decision has been made.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) anticipated selecting a Chief Minister following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return from his trip to the United States. However, the delay in convening the state assembly posed a risk of exceeding the constitutionally mandated maximum period of six months. According to Article 174(1) of the Constitution, state assemblies must be convened no later than six months after their previous session.
In Manipur’s situation, the last assembly session occurred on August 12, 2024. The budget session, which was scheduled to commence on Monday, was postponed indefinitely after the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers resigned.
The deadline for convening the assembly was today, and as a result, President’s Rule was declared in the state by evening.
11th Time Since 1951
Sambit Patra, the BJP’s state in-charge, has confirmed that the state assembly is currently in a state of suspended animation and has not been dissolved.
This marks the 11th instance of Article 356 of the Indian Constitution being enforced in the northeastern state.
The previous implementation of President’s Rule in Manipur commenced on June 2, 2001, and concluded on March 6, 2002, lasting a total of 277 days.
With the reimposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, the residents of the state are now subject to the direct governance of the Union government for the first time in 23 years.
Shadow of Violence
Sambit Patra, the BJP’s state in-charge, has clarified that the state assembly is currently in a state of suspended animation. Since May 2023, Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, resulting in over 200 fatalities. The situation remains far from normal.
The prolonged violence has ignited significant political turmoil, with the Opposition Congress continuously pressuring both the Central and state governments for failing to restore order and provide reassurance to the populace. The Congress party has also persistently called for the resignation of the Chief Minister.
In November, the National People’s Party, led by Conrad Sangma and holding seven MLAs, withdrew its support from the government.
Although the BJP holds a majority with 32 seats in the 60-member assembly, the mounting political pressure and public discontent led approximately 12 BJP MLAs to advocate for a change in leadership.
The situation was further exacerbated by the emergence of leaked audio recordings, which the Congress alleged demonstrated that then Chief Minister Biren Singh had incited the violence. A private forensic laboratory, Truth Labs, confirmed that 93 percent of the audio matched Mr. Singh’s voice. The Supreme Court has since requested a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory regarding these recordings.
In light of the mounting pressure, Mr. Singh resigned on Sunday, prompting celebrations from the Congress camp, which viewed this as a validation of their demands.
The assembly remains intact, representing the 11th application of Article 356 of the Indian Constitution in this northeastern region.
The latest enforcement of President’s Rule in Manipur commenced on June 2, 2001, and concluded on March 6, 2002, spanning a duration of 277 days.
With the reintroduction of President’s Rule, the citizens of Manipur are now governed directly by the Union government for the first time in 23 years.
Congress Expresses Satisfaction
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated, “At last, what the Indian National Congress has been advocating for nearly 20 months has come to fruition. President’s Rule has been enacted in Manipur.”
This development follows the Supreme Court’s characterization of ‘the absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state,’ which led to the current situation.
