BREAKING: President's Rule Likely to be Imposed in Manipur, Say Sources

Imphal: With the BJP leadership unable to finalise a new chief minister for violence-hit Manipur , the state is likely to come under President’s Rule, according to sources familiar with the matter told Republic. 

The development comes as BJP's Northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra , who has been stationed in Imphal since Biren Singh’s resignation, met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday to brief him on the prevailing political situation. 

Biren Singh stepped down following reports that some BJP MLAs could support a no-confidence motion expected to be moved by the Congress in the state assembly. Governor Bhalla had accepted Singh's resignation, along with that of his council of ministers, and requested that he continue in office until alternative arrangements are made. 

For the unversed, Manipur has remained volatile since ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023, resulting in 250 deaths and displacing thousands.  

Singh had been defying the opposition's demand to step down as CM of the ethnic violence-hit state where trouble broke out 21 months ago in May 2023. Meanwhile, the state Assembly session which was scheduled to begin on Monday has been scrapped. The opposition had planned to bring a no-confidence motion against Singh during the session.

When is the President’s rule imposed?

Under Article 356 of the Constitution, the President’s Rule is enforced when the President, based on a report from the Governor, is convinced that the state government can no longer function as per constitutional provisions. 

Once imposed, all state government functions are transferred to the Centre, and legislative powers shift to Parliament, while the functioning of High Courts remains unaffected.