Manipur: Fresh cracks emerge within BJP

Manipur’s ruling BJP MLA L Susindro Meitei on Sunday launched a veiled attack on Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, claiming that the state government’s performance dipped after the President’s Rule was lifted in February.

Meitei, a minister under previous CM N Biren Singh before President’s Rule was imposed in the ethnic violence-affected state early last year, also said he may be compelled to leave the BJP if the functioning of the government continues to be “unsatisfactory”.

“The government is run by a few ministers, and we only interact when they call for a discussion on certain issues,” the Khurai constituency legislator said.

Meitei claimed that not only he, but the people of the northeastern state also want the government to function by understanding public interests. “The performance of the Government did not fall much when I was part a minister, as well as during the period of the President’s Rule. That performance has now declined after the new government came as it failed to meet the expectations of the people,” he said. The former consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister neither cited any instance nor specified why the government’s performance dropped.

Following continued ethic clashes and the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the state was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025. It was lifted nearly a year later, on February 4.

“I am not a part of the government, but I am still a member of the ruling party. However, if the current system of governance continues to be unsatisfactory, I may have to leave the party,” he said. At least 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since May 2023 due to ethnic violence in Manipur between the valley-based Meiteis and the Kukis who live in the hill districts.