Manipur Government formation: What led to President’s rule in the strife-hit State? The story so far

The BJP on February 2, 2026, took the first step to restore a government in Manipur by appointing Tarun Chugh, the party’s national general secretary, as the central observer for electing the BJP Legislature Party leader. This decision comes almost a year after President’s Rule was put in place due to ongoing violence and ethnic conflict in the northeastern state.

Here’s a recap of what caused President’s Rule in Manipur and the story so far.

What led to Manipur crisis?

Since May 2023, Manipur has experienced ethnic violence, primarily between the Meitei community, which resides mainly in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups living in the hill districts.

The ethnic conflict erupted after tribals took out a solidarity march to protest the Manipur government’s alleged move toward granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis. The conflict was further intensified by a number of reasons, including land rights, political representation and affirmative action benefits.

The Kuki-Zo and the Meitei people have stayed apart since, unable to go into each other’s areas. The violence left more than 250 people dead and some 60,000 others displaced. Most of the displaced people continue to live in relief camps.

Despite centre interventions, the situation plunged into a widespread ethnic conflict, marked by repeated curfews, internet shutdowns and political unrest.

The resignation of the CM and President’s rule

Following the violent bloodshed that remained volatile for months, former CM N. Biren Singh came under harsh criticism, accused of failing to restore peace. On February 9, 2025, after 20 months of prolonged unrest and growing political instability, Mr. Singh resigned due to the threat of a no-confidence motion in a Manipur Legislative Assembly session.

In the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly, there are 37 BJP MLAs, which includes seven Kuki-Zo legislators from the party. In total, there are 10 Kuki-Zo members in the Assembly. The current Manipur Assembly was elected in 2022 and it’s five-year term runs until 2027.

Four days after Mr. Singh resigned, President’s Rule was imposed in the northeastern State that has been stunted by ethnic violence and deteriorating political situation.

That was the eleventh instance of President’s Rule being imposed in Manipur since 1967, when it was imposed for the first time for eight days (from March 12 to March 19). Manipur was the sixth State to come under President’s Rule, whereas Punjab was the first, when President’s Rule was imposed in the State in 1951.

Talks about Govt formation in Manipur

President’s Rule in Manipur will complete a year on February 13 and the Union Home Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has held several meetings over the past one month to explore the possibility of restoration of a popular government in Manipur.

The decision to appoint Mr. Chugh as the central observer for the election of the BJP Legislature Party leader follows the arrival of NDA MLAs from Manipur in the national capital. They were called upon by the BJP central leadership to discuss the formation of a government in the state, where the current period of President’s rule is set to conclude next week.