More than a year and a half after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has resigned. He stepped down on Sunday due to internal disagreements within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over his leadership.
According to Indian media outlet NDTV, Biren Singh resigned to quell party infighting and avoid the possibility of losing a no-confidence vote against his government in Parliament. On Sunday evening, he submitted his resignation letter to the state’s governor.
Despite the National People’s Party (NPP) led by Conrad Sangma withdrawing its support from the state government, the BJP still holds a majority. However, there were concerns that BJP legislators, who wanted a change in leadership, might support a no-confidence motion against the chief minister. In this situation, Biren Singh decided to step down.
West Bengal’s Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika reported that Biren Singh had been under dual pressure both inside and outside his party for the past few days. On Sunday morning, he met with India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda in New Delhi. He was accompanied by 14 legislators from the BJP and the Naga People’s Front (NPF). After a brief 15-minute meeting, he returned to Imphal and resigned as Manipur’s chief minister.
Indian media reported that the Congress party had been considering bringing a no-confidence motion against the Manipur government. Additionally, several BJP legislators in the state were dissatisfied with Biren’s leadership. There was concern that if a vote were held, his government might fall. Given the situation, his resignation seemed inevitable.
Manipur has been experiencing unrest for nearly a year and a half. In May 2023, violent clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, intensifying tensions in the state. In September of the same year, fresh violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki groups, leading to multiple rounds of clashes across Manipur. Angry mobs also attacked the residences of several legislators, including the chief minister.
To bring the situation under control, curfews were imposed in five districts, and internet services were suspended. The conflict between the two ethnic groups has resulted in the deaths of over 200 people.