The Centre finally imposed President’s rule in Manipur after miserably failing to contain the ethnic violence in the state for the past nearly two years. The action was taken on February 13, several days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his council of ministers resigned ostensibly to avoid facing a no-confidence motion that the Opposition Congress had planned to move when the assembly met on February 10. The Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, had to call off the budget session once the chief minister and his council of ministers resigned; it was feared that some MLAs of the ruling BJP would also support the no-confidence motion which could have then brought down the government. The Centre had to finally impose President’s rule when all efforts by the BJP to find a consensus replacement for Biren Singh failed.
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The imposition of President's Rule in a state is a significant step, often symbolising the breakdown of governance and an inability to maintain law and order. Manipur is the latest to face this measure – for th 11th time in its history -- following intense ethnic violence that erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities in 2023. The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur raises several implications, particularly for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs both the state and the country at the national level. The violence in Manipur was ignited by long-standing grievances surrounding ethnic identity, land rights, and the demand for Scheduled Tribe status for the Meiteis. This has been further complicated by the political and security challenges in the region, including insurgent groups and clashes between various factions. Amidst these tensions, the state government, led by the BJP, has faced criticism for failing to effectively address these issues, manage ethnic conflict, and ensure the safety of citizens.
The development holds significant political ramifications for the BJP, both in the state and at the national level. Manipur is a strategically important state, and the BJP had made substantial inroads in the region, winning the 2022 assembly elections and securing a major victory. However, the party's inability to control ethnic violence and maintain stability has led to widespread criticism. The BJP’s handling of the crisis can erode its political credibility, especially among the communities that have been directly impacted. The party’s promises of development and stability in the Northeastern states have been central to its electoral strategy. Manipur’s crisis undermines this narrative. For the ruling party, which has worked hard to expand its footprint in the region, the imposition of President's rule signals failure. This has the potential to damage the BJP's reputation as a party capable of governance and restoring peace in sensitive areas. While the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur may restore temporary peace, it highlights the challenges the BJP faces in managing complex regional issues and ethnic tensions. For the party, this crisis could serve as a cautionary tale in balancing national governance with local sensitivities.
