Imphal | May 29, 2025 — Amid ongoing President’s Rule in Manipur, BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh has claimed that 44 legislators are prepared to form a new government in the state. Speaking after a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Wednesday, Singh said the group of MLAs is aligned with public sentiment and ready to take charge.
Accompanied by nine other MLAs, Singh met with the Governor at Raj Bhavan, where they conveyed their intent to form a stable government. “We informed the Governor that 44 legislators are prepared to form a government reflecting the will of the people,” Singh stated. “We also discussed possible solutions to the ongoing political impasse. The Governor has taken note and assured action in the best interests of the public.”
Central Leadership to Make Final Decision
When asked whether the group would formally stake a claim to form the government, Singh clarified that any such move would depend on the BJP’s central leadership. “Our communication to the Governor is equivalent to expressing readiness,” he said. “Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyavrat has already met all 44 MLAs individually and collectively, and none have opposed the idea of forming a new government.”
Singh highlighted the urgent need for governance in the state, noting that the last term was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current term has seen two more years lost to conflict. “People are facing immense hardships,” he said.
President’s Rule in Place Since February
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. His decision came in the wake of sharp criticism over his handling of ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which erupted in May 2023.
Assembly Composition
Out of the 60 seats in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, 59 are currently occupied. One seat remains vacant due to the death of a sitting MLA. The BJP-led coalition commands a majority with 44 MLAs — 32 Meitei, three Manipuri Muslims, and nine Nagas. The Congress has five MLAs, all Meitei. The remaining 10 are Kuki MLAs, including seven former BJP members, two from the Kuki People’s Alliance, and one independent.
Former CM Biren Singh Also Met Governor
A day before Radheshyam Singh’s meeting, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh met Governor Bhalla to discuss the law and order situation, particularly the recent unrest in Gwaltabi.
Protests erupted in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley last week over allegations that security personnel stopped a government bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20. There were also claims that Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staff were forced to cover up state insignia on the bus windows with paper.
In a late-night press briefing, Biren Singh said, “I met the Governor today and shared my views on the current crisis. I suggested possible steps to resolve the tensions, including inviting the protestors for dialogue. He listened carefully and assured that appropriate action will be taken.”
As political maneuvering gains momentum, all eyes are now on the BJP’s central leadership and the Governor’s next steps in ending Manipur’s prolonged period of political uncertainty.
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