Biplab Defends President’s Rule in Manipur in Parliament
Agartala, Mar 11, 2025, By Our Correspondent40
Senior BJP leader and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday defended the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, emphasizing that the decision was not an arbitrary imposition but a necessary step due to constitutional compulsions.
Deb made these remarks while initiating a discussion on supplementary demands for grants, excess grants, and the Manipur budget in the Lok Sabha. He pointed out that the inability to convene the state assembly session within the prescribed time led to the implementation of central rule in Manipur, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Backdrop: Manipur’s Political Turmoil and President’s Rule
Manipur has been grappling with political instability and ethnic violence, particularly since May 2023, when clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities escalated. The ongoing violence led to severe law-and-order challenges, prompting concerns over governance. Despite repeated attempts to restore normalcy, the situation remained volatile, making it difficult for the elected government to function effectively.
With no assembly session convened within the required timeframe, Article 356 of the Constitution, which allows the imposition of President’s Rule in case of governance failure in a state, was invoked. This placed Manipur under direct central administration, with the Governor overseeing governance.
Development Initiatives in Northeast Under Modi Government
Deb also used the opportunity to highlight the infrastructure development in the Northeast over the past decade, attributing the progress to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that in the last ten years, the region has witnessed an unprecedented push in rail and road connectivity, which had remained neglected for decades.
He emphasized that earlier, the Northeastern states lacked national recognition, but now, due to extensive development and integration efforts, people across India can better identify and distinguish each state in the region.
Reduction of AFSPA and Other Reforms
Deb further noted that 75 percent of the Northeast is no longer under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a controversial law that grants security forces special powers in conflict-ridden areas. The gradual withdrawal of AFSPA, he argued, reflects improved security conditions and growing stability in the region.
He also outlined various initiatives undertaken by the Modi government to improve the lives of citizens, such as:
- Free health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat scheme
- Introduction of regional languages in MBBS courses to make medical education more accessible
- Women’s Reservation Law, which mandates 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, ensuring greater political representation.
Criticism of UPA’s Failure to Pass Women’s Reservation Bill
Deb took a swipe at the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, highlighting that despite Sonia Gandhi serving as UPA chairperson, the coalition failed to pass the women’s reservation law. He contrasted this with the Modi government’s success in securing parliamentary approval for the historic legislation.
By framing the imposition of President’s Rule as a constitutional necessity rather than a political maneuver, Deb sought to justify the BJP-led central government’s intervention in Manipur while also using the occasion to highlight the broader developmental strides made in the Northeast region under Modi’s leadership.