Imphal. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on Sunday. He submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. He wrote in his letter, "It has been an honor for me to serve the people of Manipur till now. I am extremely grateful to the Central Government for the timely action, intervention, development work, and implementation of various projects to protect the interests of every citizen of Manipur." At the same time, the Governor has directed him to take charge till the formation of a new government. In such a situation, N. Biren Singh will work as the acting Chief Minister of Manipur. According to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources, the name of the new Chief Minister will be announced in a day or two. N. Biren Singh faced criticism over the way he handled the caste conflict in the state. Signs of a change of power in Manipur started coming after Assembly Speaker Satyavrat was called to Delhi last week. After this, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand also came to Delhi.
Biren Singh has taken this step at a time when he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah this morning. BJP President JP Nadda was present during N Biren Singh's meeting with the Home Minister. He took this step as soon as he returned to Imphal from Delhi.
The BJP has the numbers, even if ally Conrad Sangma's National People's Party withdrew support, but the MLAs demanding a change of leadership in the state were likely to disobey the party whip during the floor test. To avoid this possibility, the Chief Minister resigned after consulting the central leadership. Biren Singh went to Delhi on Sunday morning, where he met party chief JP Nadda and Union Minister Amit Shah.
According to party sources, about 12 MLAs are strongly demanding a leadership chang,e and about six MLAs are still not in a position tmakeke a decision. Sources also said that there are "differences" between the Speaker and the Chief Minister. Sources said that given the success of the BJP in the Delhi elections, the party's high command does not want the situation in Manipur to affect the growing positive political atmosphere in any way.
Meanwhile, there were indications that the Congress-led opposition is considering bringing a no-confidence motion in the Assembly. In such a situation, the resignation of CM N. Biren Singh is being seen as a major political development. If political discussions are to be believed, the Congress party is considering a no-confidence motion against the government with the help of some BJP MLAs angry with the current leadership.
N. Biren Singh had apologized to the public for last year's violence in Manipur. He said, "This whole year has been very bad. I apologize to the people of the state for whatever has happened from May 3 last year till today. Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I am sad about this. I hope that normalcy will be restored in the state in 2025.”
