BJP MP Sanajaoba Leishemba expresses hope that Manipur will see a popular government within two months, ending President’s Rule. With rising political efforts and central intervention, the state edges closer to resolving its ethnic crisis and restoring democratic governance.
BJP’s lone Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, has expressed confidence that a popular government will be formed in Manipur within the next two months. Speaking to the media on Sunday, the 53-year-old parliamentarian stated that President’s Rule alone cannot address the deep-rooted issues the northeastern state is grappling with, particularly the ongoing ethnic crisis.
“I strongly hope that a popular government will be installed in Manipur within the next two months. The President’s Rule alone cannot resolve the prevailing issues. A popular government can function closely in tandem with the people and find a solution to the present ethnic crisis,” Leishemba said.
He admitted that elected leaders had failed to act collectively and decisively in tackling the unrest, acknowledging public criticism on the issue. Without naming anyone, he criticized a section of political leaders for placing personal interests above the state’s welfare, stating this behavior contributed to the imposition of President’s Rule.
President’s Rule was enforced in Manipur on February 13, just four days after former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his post. Since then, the 60-member Manipur Assembly has remained under suspended animation, despite its tenure lasting until 2027.
Recent political activity suggests moves are underway to restore elected governance in the state. BJP’s North East in-charge, Sambit Patra, visited Manipur last week, engaging in a series of closed-door meetings with key stakeholders, including Kuki BJP MLAs Vungzagin Valte and Nemcha Kipgen, who was the lone woman minister in the former government. Patra also met with various civil society organizations, including the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), and held consultations with former CM Biren Singh, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, and other influential leaders in Imphal.
Although the discussions’ details were not publicly disclosed, the timing of the visit indicates growing pressure within the BJP and its allies to restore a popular government. This visit followed a memorandum submitted by 21 MLAs—mostly from the BJP, along with members from the National People’s Party (NPP), Naga People’s Front (NPF), and two independents—urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to reinstate an elected government in the state.
The MLAs stated in their letter that while the public initially welcomed President’s Rule with hopes of peace and normalization, no visible progress has been made. They emphasized the urgency of restoring a government that can effectively engage with the public and various ethnic communities to end the two-year-long conflict.
Efforts for peace are underway at the central level too. On April 5, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conducted the first tripartite dialogue in New Delhi with representatives from both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, signaling the Centre’s intent to foster reconciliation and stability.
With growing political momentum and public demand for stability, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Manipur can move past its political vacuum and return to a democratically-elected leadership.
