After months of sectarian violence and demands for removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, there could soon be a change in leadership in Manipur.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership is understood to be seriously considering making a change in the leadership in the state, sources said.
The issue is being given a thought rebel BJP MLAs were granted a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday. The meeting with the legislators came after months of pleas with the Central BJP leadership.
Sources stated that the legislators gave a detailed briefing to the Home Minister regarding the prevailing situation in the state and how a change in state leadership could help save the party in the state. They are also understood to have reiterated their demand for the removal of N Biren Singh from the chief ministerial position. The rebel legislators also explained that even saffron allies were supporting MLAs opposing Biren.
With the state Legislative Assembly scheduled to begin its session on February 10, fireworks are being expected from both the BJP and opposition legislators. MLAs are upset with both Biren’s leadership and the party-led Centre’s management of the Manipur crisis.
This is after quite some time that the Home Minister met MLAs opposing Biren Singh. Last week, Manipur Speaker and BJP leader Th. Satyabrata Singh had also met Shah in Delhi.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Biren Singh is also likely to meet the Central leadership of BJP to explain his stand and resolve any issue raised by the rebel MLAs, sources added.
Biren Singh was in the national capital on Wednesday but couldn’t meet Shah. He came with his supporters and about 7-8 MLAs, sources added.
Interestingly, in the forthcoming session, opposition Congress and former ally National People’s Party (NPP) are planning to move a no-confidence motion in the Assembly.
However, the central leadership of the BJP is moving cautiously on the issue as Biren Singh’s removal could fuel trouble in Parliament, so the party leadership has decided to take a call on the issue after the ongoing budget session.
Manipur has been affected by violence for the past several months. The state has been affected by a conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos since May 2023, which has claimed the lives of several hundred and left tens of thousands homeless in the state.
