Manipur President’s Rule Ends as Yumnam Khemchand Singh Becomes 13th Chief Minister
Updated (5 articles)
President’s Rule Revoked and New Government Installed President Droupadi Murmu lifted President’s Rule on 5 Feb 2026, enabling the BJP to form a ministry after almost a year of central administration [2][1]. Yumnam Khemchand Singh, 62, took the oath of office and secrecy from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on 4 Feb 2026, becoming Manipur’s 13th chief minister [1][2]. His swearing‑in followed his election as BJP Legislature Party leader on 3 Feb 2026, clearing the constitutional hurdle for restoring an elected state government [3][4].
Deputy Chief Ministers and Initial Cabinet Meet Singh appointed two deputy chief ministers—Nemcha Kipgen, representing the Kuki‑Zo community, and Losii Dikho of the Naga People’s Front—signaling a coalition‑based arrangement [2][4]. The first cabinet meeting took place on the night of 4 Feb at the chief minister’s bungalow, attended by Deputy CM L. Dikho, ministers Govindas Konthoujam and K. Loken Singh, and Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel [1][4]. Officials described the gathering as the beginning of collective decision‑making for the newly constituted cabinet [1].
Security Remains Fragile with Ongoing Displacement Only about 9,000 of an estimated 60,000 displaced persons have returned home, indicating persistent insecurity [2]. A Meitei man was shot dead in Tuibong, Churachandpur while visiting his Kuki‑Zo wife, underscoring continued radical‑group threats [2]. Violence since 2023 has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced 60,000 people, forming a challenging backdrop for the new administration’s peace‑building agenda [3][4].
Kuki‑Zo Autonomy Demands Challenge New Administration Kuki‑Zo groups continue to press for a separate Union‑Territory‑type administration, demanding a written political settlement before the assembly term ends in Feb 2027 [5][2]. Some Kuki‑Zo MLAs, notably Paolienlal Haokip, have refused to join the government without such guarantees, reflecting intra‑party skepticism [5][4]. The coalition must balance these demands with inclusive dialogue to sustain stability [2][4].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu: New Manipur Assembly Session Begins Feb 5, 2026: reports the convening of the seventh session, Singh’s oath, and the first cabinet meeting, emphasizing the transition from President’s Rule .
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2.
The Hindu: Manipur Gets New BJP Chief Minister as President’s Rule Ends: details the revocation of President’s Rule, Singh’s swearing‑in with two deputies, ongoing security concerns, and Kuki‑Zo autonomy pressures .
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3.
The Hindu: Yumnam Khemchand Singh poised to become Manipur’s next chief minister: outlines Singh’s election as BJP legislative leader, his political background, outreach to Kuki‑Zo villages, and the broader violence‑displacement context .
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4.
The Hindu: Yumnam Khemchand Singh poised to become Manipur chief minister as coalition prepares government: highlights coalition dynamics, expected deputy chief minister appointments, President’s Rule timeline, and skepticism among some Kuki‑Zo MLAs .
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5.
The Hindu: BJP appoints observer as Manipur Legislature Party leader election approaches: describes the appointment of observer Tarun Chugh, logistics of the LP‑leader election, Kuki‑Zo settlement demands, and the assembly’s ethnic composition .
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Timeline
2023 (May) – Ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki‑Zo groups erupt, killing more than 250 people and displacing roughly 60,000 residents, setting the stage for a prolonged security crisis in Manipur[3].
Feb 9 2025 – Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigns amid the ongoing violence, prompting the central government to move toward direct rule of the state[4].
Feb 13 2025 – President Droupadi Murmu imposes President’s Rule, suspending the 60‑member Manipur Assembly whose term runs until Feb 2027[4].
Aug 5 2025 – Parliament passes a constitutional amendment extending President’s Rule for six months, setting a new expiry date of Feb 13 2026[5].
Dec 8 2025 – BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh visits Kuki‑Zo villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong and a relief camp for displaced families, signalling a push for reconciliation[4].
Jan 13 2026 – Kuki‑Zo civil‑society groups adopt a resolution demanding a time‑bound written commitment for a Union‑Territory‑type arrangement before the assembly term ends in Feb 2027[5].
Feb 2 2026 – The BJP parliamentary board appoints national general secretary Tarun Chugh as central observer to oversee the Manipur Legislature Party leader election, a step toward restoring an elected state government[5].
Feb 3 2026 – BJP legislators elect Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the party’s Legislature Party leader, clearing the path for his appointment as chief minister[3].
Feb 3 2026 – Senior BJP leaders, including B.L. Santhosh and Sambit Patra, meet Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to stake a claim for forming the government; Nemcha Kipgen is slated to become the first woman Kuki‑Zo deputy chief minister[4].
Feb 4 2026 – President Murmu revokes President’s Rule, allowing the BJP to form a new ministry after nearly a year of central administration[1].
Feb 4 2026 – Yumnam Khemchand Singh is sworn in as Manipur’s 13th chief minister, with deputies Nemcha Kipgen (Kuki‑Zo) and Losii Dikho (Naga People’s Front)[1].
Feb 4 2026 (night) – The newly constituted cabinet holds its first meeting at the chief minister’s bungalow, which the government describes as “the beginning of collective decision‑making and governance for the newly constituted state cabinet.”[2].
Feb 5 2026 – Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla summons the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, marking the first sitting since President’s Rule was lifted[2].
Feb 5 2026 – Security remains fragile: only about 9,000 of an estimated 60,000 displaced persons have returned, and a Meitei man is shot dead in Tuibong, underscoring ongoing radical‑group threats[1].
Feb 2027 (expected) – The current assembly term ends, and the Kuki‑Zo demand for a separate administration continues to require inclusive dialogue and a written political settlement to achieve lasting peace[1].
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- https://t.co/vQRKKmaZtN (cited 1 times)