'20 BJP MLAs Were Ready To Support Congress Motion': What Forced Manipur CM Biren Singh's Resignation?

Last Updated:February 10, 2025, 09:12 IST

Many of N Biren Singh's critics, including Panchayati Raj Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, building pressure for a change in Imphal, as per sources.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh met the Governor on Sunday and tendered his resignation. (Image: PTI)

On June 30, 2023, N Biren Singh had left his residence for Raj Bhawan to tender his resignation. Biren, as per his aides, felt he had “lost the confidence of his people", since hundreds of people had gathered to protest the death of two Meitei men.

As the news about the planned resignation spread, crowd gathered around his convoy. Biren was forced to turn around. Outside his residence, a group of women tore his draft resignation to pieces, and N Biren Singh lived to tell the tale. The incident cemented his position among the majority Meitei community and backfooted critics within his own party.

But that long rope ran out on Sunday. Biren Singh, BJP North East Coordinator Sambit Patra and a group of MLAs, met Governor Ajay Bhalla at around 5:30 pm on February 9 and Singh resigned. He has been asked to continue as a caretaker Chief Minister for now, but by all accounts, it is the end of the road for the journalist-turned-politician at the helm of affairs in Manipur for now.

What forced the resignation this time?

The Congress had planned to bring in a no-confidence motion against Singh on Monday, February 10. Intelligence inputs suggested that around 20 BJP MLAs would support the motion to end Singh’s reign. Many of his critics, including Panchayati Raj Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, had met Union Minister Amit Shah building pressure for a change in Imphal, as per sources. The demand of the dissident group was ‘non negotiable’ that Singh must step down, sources said.

The Delhi trip of Singh baiters was not new and the CM was brazening it out this time too. He came to Delhi last week and tried to quash all rumours of ‘being summoned’, by proceeding to Prayagraj for Mahakumbh Snan. “May this sacred gathering strengthen our collective spirit and guide us towards a brighter future," Biren Singh posted on Thursday from Prayagraj.

But the wheels turned within two days. Governor Ajay Bhalla was in Delhi, ostensibly to cast his vote. Even as the Governor touched down in Imphal, Singh was back in the national capital. On Sunday morning, he met Home Minsiter Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda. By evening, he had resigned.

Allies

Biren Singh had wielded off pressure in the last two years to step down. Even as the world watched in horror and Supreme Court intervened after the video of Kuki women being paraded naked went viral, Singh stayed. Conrad Sangma’s NPP withdrew support to the BJP-led government in November 2024, accusing CM Singh of failing completely in stopping the violence.

In January, the lone JDU MLA also withdrew support though the national spokesperson of the party later called this a miscommunication and insisted JDU was still supporting the government in Manipur. But the rumbling, both from within the BJP and from allies, could be heard from Imphal to Delhi. Biren Singh managed to survive through all of this till finally, the central leadership of his party read the writing on the wall.

Role of Raj Bhawan

What perhaps queered the pitch for N Biren Singh in 2025, is the presence of a seasoned administrator in Imphal Raj Bhawan. Ajay Bhalla, the former Union Home Secretary was appointed as Governor on December 24, 2024. Governor Bhalla as Home Secretary had seen the Manipur crisis unfold. He had first hand knowledge of the ground situation. Less than a month after his appointment as Governor, Bhalla initiated administrative changes in the Hill districts, shuffling police and administrative officials. The move was seen as Raj Bhawan seizing the initiative.

While the Centre had so far resisted any move to remove Biren Singh because of his support base amongst the majority Meitei community and administrative acumen, it was increasingly clear to New Delhi that he had burnt the bridges completely with those in the Hills – the Kuki-Zo-Hmars. A ‘neutral ‘ administrator with backing from New Delhi may be seen as unbiased and more invested in peace.

However, as a face saver for Biren Singh, Centre has agreed to not appoint any dissident immediately as a replacement CM.

According to sources, the next two days are crucial from the law and order point of view since in the past, Singh’s resignation moves have seen protests and law and order situation. The evening of February 9 passed off incident-free, but all forces are on alert to thwart any law and order problems, sources said.

For now the no-confidence motion and the proposed assembly session have been declared null and void by Governor Bhalla. Sources indicate that post the budget session, the decisions on Singh’s and Manipur’s fate could unfold.

News politics '20 BJP MLAs Were Ready To Support Congress Motion': What Forced Manipur CM Biren Singh's Resignation?