A Political Shift in Manipur
In a surprising political move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party, the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), has officially withdrawn support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Manipur. This decision, which was communicated to the state’s governor on January 22, signals growing tensions despite JD(U)’s alliance with the BJP at the Centre and in Bihar. While the move will not impact the stability of the Manipur government, it carries significant political weight.
JD(U)’s Lone MLA Moves to Opposition
JD(U), which initially secured six seats in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, saw five of its legislators defect to the BJP just months after the polls. Now, its lone remaining MLA, Md Abdul Nasir, will officially sit in the Opposition. JD(U)’s Manipur unit president, Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, formally conveyed this decision to Governor Ajay Kumar, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and the Assembly Speaker, reaffirming that the party no longer supports the BJP-led government in the state.
Backdrop: JD(U)-BJP Alliance at the Centre
Despite this regional fallout, JD(U) remains a key ally of the BJP in the central government and in Bihar. The party had previously been associated with the opposition INDIA bloc but later realigned with the BJP, significantly influencing Bihar’s political landscape. This latest move in Manipur, however, highlights ongoing friction between the two allies at the state level. The withdrawal also follows a similar decision made by the Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP), which pulled its support from the BJP government in Manipur last year.
Political Implications
Though JD(U)’s exit from the Manipur government does not threaten BJP’s majority—given its 37 legislators in the 60-member Assembly backed by the Naga People’s Front and Independent MLAs—it does send a message of discontent. With shifting alliances and upcoming elections, this development could have broader implications for BJP-JD(U) relations, especially as the political landscape continues to evolve both in Manipur and nationally.
(With inputs from agencies)
