NEW DELHI: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Sunday tendered his resignation from the state’s top job after threat of a no-confidence motion loomed against his government in the upcoming assembly session.
This comes amid the ongoing violence and ethnic conflict in the state that has been raging for nearly two years which claimed more than 250 lives.
Earlier on Wednesday, Biren along with several ministers met BJP’s top brass in Delhi. However, he later clarified that they were in Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh.
“May this sacred gathering strengthen our collective spirit and guide us toward a brighter future,” Biren posted Thursday. “…I pray for peace, prosperity, and the well being of our great nation and the beloved people of Manipur.”
The sudden move comes ahead of the upcoming assembly session where Congress planned to move the no-confidence motion against the CM.
Manipur Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh had also accused Biren of threatening his MLAs that if a no-confidence motion was moved against his government, the members would not be able to live after being chased by the public.
The Congress leader had alleged that nearly two years have passed since the ethnic conflict began in the state but the BJP-led government is not fulfilling its responsibilities.
“Chief minister N Biren Singh had said if a no-confidence motion is moved at the upcoming assembly session against the state government by any member, the MLA would be chased by the people and won’t be able to stay at home,” Ibobi Singh told reporters after meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
The BJP-led alliance in the 60-member assembly held a majority with 43 seats.
Earlier in November, Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma’s NPP withdrew support to the BJP-led govt in Manipur saying CM N Biren Singh had “failed completely” in arresting the state’s descent into a spiral of ceaseless violence since the ethnic strife.
“National People’s Party would like to convey its deep concern over the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur. In the last few days, we saw the situation further deteriorate, where many more innocent lives were lost. People in the state are going through immense suffering,” Sangma wrote to BJP president JP Nadda.
In January, NDA ally Janata Dal United also withdrew support to the BJP-led NDA govt in the northeastern state.
However, the party sacked its Manipur unit president Kshetrimayum Biren Singh for insubordination.
In the Manipur assembly, BJP has 37 MLAs, supported by its allies Naga People’s Front (5)and JDU with one legislator. Opposition holds 16 seats, comprising National People’s Party (6), Congress (5), independents (3), and two from KPA, which withdrew its support from Biren’s govt in Aug 2023.