Manipur CM Biren Singh Resigns After 21 Months: Is President's Rule Next Step for the State? Here's What We Know

Imphal: N Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur, resigned on Sunday evening, nearly two years after violence broke out in the state, claiming 250 lives. His resignation sets the stage for a leadership change in the northeastern state. In his resignation letter to Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, Singh expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Manipur, saying, "It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur. I am extremely grateful to the Central government for its timely actions, interventions, developmental work, and the implementation of various projects to safeguard the interests of every single Manipuri."

With no clear successor yet commanding the majority of party MLAs, there is speculation that the President’s Rule may be imposed. However, media reports suggest that the BJP aims to avoid such a scenario. Additionally, it has been reported that Governor Bhalla has instructed Singh to refrain from making policy decisions while serving as caretaker CM.

Singh's resignation followed a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda in Delhi. This came in response to the opposition Congress 's move to file a no-confidence motion against Singh’s government.

Is President’s Rule the Next Step in Manipur?

Following Singh's resignation, the governor and his council of ministers have requested him to remain in office until alternative arrangements are made. Currently, there is no clear indication whether the BJP will appoint a new Chief Minister, though BJP leader Sambit Patra is camping in Manipur. Reports suggest the BJP is keen to avoid the President's rule, while Governor Bhalla has instructed Singh to refrain from taking any policy decisions during his tenure as caretaker CM.

What is the President's Rule?

President's Rule, also referred to as Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, can be imposed on any state if there is a failure of the constitutional machinery. There are two main scenarios under which this can happen: First if the President receives a report from the state's Governor or is otherwise convinced that the state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions. Second, if the state fails to comply with the directions issued by the Union government on matters within its authority.

In simple terms, the President’s Rule involves the suspension of the state government, with the central government taking over the administration of the state through the office of a centrally appointed governor. It is also known as a ‘State Emergency’ or ‘Constitutional Emergency’.

Biren Singh Lists Out Reasons For Quitting CM Post

The BJP leader in his letter to the Governor listed out five reasons for quitting the post. He wrote, “To maintain the territorial integrity of Manipur, which has a rich and diverse civilizational history over thousands of years. To crack down on border infiltration and to formulate policy for the deportation of illegal immigrants. To continue the fight against drugs and narco-terrorism. To continue the stringent and fool-proof revised mechanism of FMR with the biometric being stringently applied. Time-bound and faster border, which is underway."

Following Singh's resignation, the Manipur Assembly Budget session has been suspended. Officials have confirmed that the session will resume once a new Chief Minister is appointed, with sources indicating that an announcement could come as early as Monday.  

The party is expected to convene meetings with top leaders to finalize the name of the next Chief Minister.

Manipur Congress Announced To Move No-Confidence

Singh’s resignation comes following the announcement made by Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra that his party will move a no-confidence motion against the state government in the upcoming Assembly session. As per several reports, nine MLAs had skipped a meeting that was called by Biren Singh at Imphal on Saturday.

"Brahmastra Missile will surely hit one of the Double Engine! Congress party set to move No Confidence Motion anytime soon," Meghachandra posted on X.

Singh's resignation came a day before the scheduled commencement of the Assembly session.

Following his resignation, the Manipur governor called off the Assembly session and announced that the previous order issued on January 24, which had scheduled the Assembly session to commence on February 10, had been deemed "null and void".

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, hereby order that the previous directive to summon the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which has yet to commence, is hereby declared null and void with immediate effect,” read the notice issued by Assembly secretary K. Meghajit Singh.

According to an official statement issued by Raj Bhawan, the resignation of Biren Singh has been accepted, and he has been asked to continue in office till alternative arrangements are made.

In the 2022 elections, BJP registered victory on 32 seats in the 60-seat Assembly, securing a majority on its own.

Biren Singh ‘Almost’ Resigned in 2023

In 2023, N Biren Singh clarified the speculation surrounding his resignation following ethnic clashes in the state. Singh mentioned he decided against giving his resignation at the very last moment after being persuaded by his supporters to not take this step.

On June 30, 2023, thousands of supporters gathered outside the Chief Minister's residence in Imphal to prevent Biren Singh from meeting the governor and taking this eventual step, as claimed by many of his supporters.

A letter of his resignation was also read out by one of his cabinet colleagues, L. Susindro Meitei, following which a woman among the gathering tore up that document. Biren Singh at that time said, “I doubted the government lost the trust of people”.