Yumnam Khemchand Singh Elected BJP Legislature Party Leader, Set to Be Sworn in as Chief Minister as President’s Rule Ends in Manipur

Yumnam Khemchand Singh Elected BJP Legislature Party Leader, Set to Be Sworn in as Chief Minister as President’s Rule Ends in Manipur

Manipur BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh has been elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party, clearing the way for the formation of a new government in the state just days before President’s Rule was set to complete one year.

The decision was taken at a meeting in New Delhi attended by BJP MLAs from Manipur and leaders of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners. BJP central observer for Manipur Tarun Chugh and the party’s northeast in-charge Sambit Patra were present during the discussions.

Soon after Singh’s election, President’s Rule in Manipur was revoked with immediate effect. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a notification issued on Wednesday, said President Droupadi Murmu had withdrawn the proclamation imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 356 of the Constitution, I, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, hereby revoke the Proclamation issued on February 13, 2025, in relation to the State of Manipur, with effect from February 4, 2026,” the notification stated.

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With the constitutional process restored, Singh is set to take oath as the chief minister later today. The BJP’s Manipur unit said the swearing-in ceremony will be held at Lok Bhavan at 6 pm. Nemcha Kipgen is expected to assume charge as deputy chief minister.

“Under his experienced and visionary leadership, Manipur is set to move forward on the path of peace, development and good governance,” the state BJP said in a post on X, adding that preparations for the ceremony have been underway since morning.

The announcement came minutes after Singh staked his claim to form the government. An NDA delegation led by him met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan to formally submit its claim. Two MLAs from the Kuki-Zo-majority districts of Churachandpur and Pherzawl were also part of the delegation.

The 62-year-old leader was first chosen as the BJP Legislature Party leader and subsequently named NDA Legislature Party leader on Tuesday. BJP MLA Thongam Biswajit said five MLAs, including Singh, will be sworn in as ministers in the new government.

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 2025, following the resignation of then chief minister N Biren Singh. Singh stepped down amid mounting criticism over his government’s handling of the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which erupted in May 2023.

The lifting of President’s Rule and the formation of a new government mark a significant political reset for the violence-hit northeastern state, as it looks to return to stability and elected governance.