44 MLAs Prepared to Form New Government in Manipur, Says BJP Leader After Meeting Governor

In a major political development from Manipur, BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh announced that 44 MLAs are ready to form a new government in Manipur State. The statement came after Singh, accompanied by nine other MLAs, met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Singh said that the group had informed the governor about their readiness to take charge in accordance with the people’s expectations. “We have communicated that 44 MLAs are ready. The governor listened to our concerns and assured that necessary steps would be taken in the interest of the people,” he said.

When asked whether they intended to officially stake claim to form the government, Singh responded that such a decision would rest with the central BJP leadership. However, he emphasized that the MLAs’ show of unity could be seen as an informal expression of intent to take over governance. “The Speaker, Th Satyabrata, has spoken with the 44 MLAs—both individually and collectively. There is no opposition among them to the formation of a new government,” Singh added.

The push for a new government comes at a time when public dissatisfaction is at its peak. Massive protests have erupted in the Imphal Valley following an incident where security personnel allegedly covered the state’s name on a government bus windshield in Gwaltabi on May 20. The act has been widely condemned by Meitei groups, who have called for an official apology from the governor and the immediate resignation of the chief secretary, the DGP, and the state’s security advisor.

Radheshyam Singh pointed to the challenges Manipur has faced over the years. “People are suffering. In the previous term, two years were lost due to COVID-19, and in the current term, two more years have gone in the conflict. This has to stop,” he said.

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 2025, following the resignation of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh. His exit came after widespread criticism over his handling of ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which began in May 2023. The conflict has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands.

Currently, the Manipur Assembly has 59 sitting members, with one seat lying vacant due to the death of an MLA. The BJP-led coalition comprises 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipuri Muslim representatives, and nine Naga legislators, making up the 44 MLAs backing the formation of a new government.

On the other side, the Congress holds five seats, all represented by Meitei leaders. The remaining 10 MLAs belong to the Kuki community, with seven elected on BJP tickets, two from the Kuki People’s Alliance, and one Independent.

The recent unrest over the Gwaltabi incident has reignited community tensions that were beginning to subside thanks to efforts by the central government. Meitei groups continue to stress that Manipur’s territorial integrity must remain intact in any peace talks, while Kuki-Zo organizations maintain that a separate administration for the hill areas is the only viable solution.

As the political drama unfolds, the people of Manipur await clarity and leadership amid their prolonged hardship and instability.