A Return to Elected Government
Manipur entered a new political phase on February 4, 2026, with the revocation of President’s Rule and the restoration of an elected government. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formally staked its claim to power, clearing the way for senior BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh to assume office as Chief Minister. He will be supported by two Deputy Chief Ministers—Losii Dikho of the Naga People’s Front and BJP leader Nemcha Kipgen—signalling an attempt to reflect Manipur’s complex ethnic mosaic after nearly a year of central rule.
President’s Rule had been imposed in February 2025 following the collapse of the previous government amid prolonged ethnic unrest. Its withdrawal now marks New Delhi’s confidence that political normalcy can gradually return.
The Roots of the Crisis
Manipur has been scarred by violence since May 2023, when protests over the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status escalated into clashes with Kuki-Zo tribal groups in the hills. The unrest claimed over 260 lives, displaced around 60,000 people, and led to widespread destruction of homes and public infrastructure. Thousands of weapons were looted during the chaos, further deepening insecurity.
The earlier BJP-led government faced sustained allegations of partisanship, particularly from Kuki groups, eroding its legitimacy. The resignation of then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in early 2025 triggered a constitutional breakdown, making central intervention unavoidable.
NDA’s Political Recalibration
The new NDA leadership structure reflects a deliberate balancing act. By appointing leaders from the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities to the top executive positions, the alliance aims to counter perceptions of ethnic dominance and restore trust. Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a Meitei leader with administrative experience, has previously reached out to Kuki relief camps—an unusual step that signalled early intent at reconciliation.
Nemcha Kipgen’s elevation as Deputy Chief Minister gives the Kuki community a direct stake in governance, while Losii Dikho’s inclusion reassures Naga groups that their interests will not be side-lined. The cabinet’s composition is expected to mirror this inclusive approach.
Addressing Meitei–Kuki Violence: The Road Ahead
The new government faces the formidable task of healing deep social fractures. Its approach is expected to combine dialogue, security measures, and rehabilitation. Peace committees with representatives from all major communities are likely to be institutionalised to address local grievances. Simultaneously, the state must accelerate rehabilitation—closing relief camps, rebuilding homes, and facilitating the safe return of displaced families.
Disarmament remains another critical challenge. Encouraging the surrender of looted weapons and restoring faith in law enforcement will be essential to preventing renewed violence. Politically sensitive demands, including calls for separate administrative arrangements by Kuki groups, will require careful negotiation rather than coercion.
A Fragile Second Chance
The lifting of President’s Rule offers Manipur a rare opportunity to reset its political and social trajectory. The NDA’s inclusive power-sharing formula is a calculated gamble—one that could either stabilise the state or unravel under unresolved tensions. Success will depend less on symbolism and more on sustained engagement, impartial governance, and tangible relief on the ground. For Manipur, the return to elected rule is not the end of the crisis, but the beginning of a difficult and necessary reconciliation process.
(With agency inputs)
