On Sunday, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendered his resignation today, marking a pivotal moment two years after ethnic violence erupted in the state.
CM Biren Singh’s resignation comes in response to growing dissent within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding his leadership, as the state government faces the looming threat of a no-confidence motion from the Congress party and a potential floor test in the assembly.
The Chief Minister Biren Singh submitted his resignation to the Governor this evening, following consultations with the BJP’s central leadership. Singh’s decision appears to be a strategic move to prevent a potential rebellion among party MLAs who had been advocating for a change in leadership.
Despite the BJP maintaining a majority in the assembly, the risk of MLAs defying a party whip during a floor test was a pressing concern.
Earlier today, Singh traveled to New Delhi to meet with BJP president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where discussions likely centered on the escalating political crisis in Manipur.
The Chief Minister’s resignation is seen as an effort to stabilize the party and avert a deeper crisis that could undermine the BJP’s recent electoral successes in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to social media platform X to comment on Singh’s resignation, stating, “The resignation of CM Biren Singh shows that mounting public pressure, the SC investigation, and the no-confidence motion by the Congress have forced a reckoning.”
He criticized Biren Singh’s tenure, alleging that the Chief Minister had exacerbated divisions in Manipur and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had allowed him to remain in power despite the violence and loss of life.
The backdrop to Singh’s resignation is the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023, which has left a lasting impact on the state’s political landscape. Reports indicate that around 12 MLAs have been vocally advocating for a leadership change, with an additional six MLAs remaining undecided.
Sources within the party have revealed that tensions have also existed between the Speaker and the Chief Minister, further complicating the political scenario.
Some of the dissenting MLAs have reportedly met with Amit Shah to express their grievances and demands for a new leadership. The Congress party’s threat of a no-confidence motion, set to be discussed in the assembly session starting tomorrow, has added urgency to the situation.
There were concerns that some MLAs might choose to abstain from a floor test, further complicating the BJP’s position.
The pressure on Singh intensified following allegations from a member of the Kuki community, who approached the Supreme Court claiming that the Chief Minister had incited the violence in Manipur.
This allegation was supported by leaked audio recordings purportedly featuring Singh’s voice. A private forensic laboratory, Truth Labs, has confirmed that 93 percent of the audio tapes matched Singh’s voice, raising serious questions about his role in the unrest.
In response to these developments, the Supreme Court has requested a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory regarding the authenticity of the leaked audio tapes, which could have significant implications for Singh’s political future.
As the political landscape in Manipur continues to evolve, the BJP will need to navigate the challenges posed by internal dissent and external pressures while seeking to maintain its foothold in the state.
Congress MP Supriya Shrinate has condemned the violence in Manipur, which she claims has resulted in extensive property damage, the loss of childhood for many children, and the displacement of approximately 60,000 individuals, with over 50,000 still residing in relief camps.
She described the situation as dire, highlighting the painful deaths and the use of bullets and bombs in the streets. Shrinate criticized the brutality faced by women during the unrest, stating that it is a deeply troubling reality.
She attributed the chaos in Manipur to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh, which she characterized as compelled, serves as a stark reminder to those who have downplayed the severity of the situation.
Shrinate referred to the resignation as a “tight slap” to the media and the BJP’s narrative that claimed normalcy had returned to the region. Her remarks come amid ongoing tensions and calls for accountability regarding the violence that has plagued Manipur in recent months.
