BJP North East In-charge Sambit Patra, on Tuesday, met Kuki BJP MLA Nemcha Kipgen, the lone woman minister in the former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh-led government in Manipur. According to party sources, Patra’s visit marks an effort to address the evolving political scenario in the state.
During his visit to Manipur, Patra also met with leaders of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and other Kuki civil society groups in Kangpokpi district, a region primarily inhabited by Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribals. According to a senior BJP leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the civil society groups, along with CoTU representatives, presented a memorandum to Patra outlining their concerns and expectations amid the ongoing President’s Rule.
Patra’s visit began on Monday, upon his arrival in Imphal. He first traveled to Churachandpur, where he met local BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, who also belongs to the Kuki community. Later, returning to Imphal, Patra held closed-door meetings with former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, and several other leaders and MLAs. However, the nature of these discussions was not disclosed by the BJP or Patra himself.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of N. Biren Singh from the Chief Minister’s post. The 60-member Manipur Assembly, now in suspended animation, has a tenure extending until 2027. Amid this backdrop, the BJP leader’s visit gains significance as it coincides with growing demands from local leaders to reinstate an elected government.
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A few days prior to Patra’s visit, 21 Manipur MLAs wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to reestablish a popular government in the state. The letters, submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 29, highlighted that while the imposition of President’s Rule initially brought hope, there has been no tangible progress towards peace and normalcy. The MLAs, primarily from the BJP, with a few from the National People’s Party (NPP), Naga People’s Front (NPF), and two independent legislators, argued that reinstating a government is essential to restoring stability.
The MLAs noted that the people of Manipur, initially optimistic about President’s Rule, now feel disillusioned due to the lack of visible action to resolve the crisis. They asserted that the installation of a representative government remains the only sustainable path to peace.
Amid this political turbulence, efforts to address ethnic hostilities are also ongoing. On April 5, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) facilitated a tripartite meeting in New Delhi, involving officials from the MHA and representatives of both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. This meeting marked a significant step in fostering dialogue between the warring factions, but the road to reconciliation remains long and complex.
Political analysts view Patra’s visit as part of the BJP’s strategy to engage with diverse community leaders and address the growing dissatisfaction within the party’s own ranks. His meetings with both state leadership and tribal representatives indicate an effort to bridge divides and build consensus in the wake of the prolonged political deadlock.
The developments in Manipur, especially with increasing pressure on the central government to restore an elected administration, underline the fragile nature of governance in the northeastern state. As stakeholders continue to deliberate on the future course of action, the focus remains on establishing peace and ensuring that the voices of diverse communities are effectively represented.
