Imphal: With President’s Rule continuing in Manipur for nearly a year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun the process of restoring an elected government following the resignation of N. Biren Singh amid ethnic violence in the state.
Signalling the start of the exercise to choose a new Chief Minister, the BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Tarun Chugh, the party’s National General Secretary, as Central Observer for the election of the BJP Legislature Party leader in Manipur. The move is widely seen as a precursor to government formation, according to a statement issued by the party leadership.
Although a much-anticipated meeting between BJP central leaders and Manipur BJP MLAs scheduled in New Delhi on Monday did not take place, party sources said the process of leadership selection is expected to move forward in the coming days.
BJP leaders in Imphal said the party is weighing several options for the Chief Minister’s post, with at least seven names under consideration as it prepares for governance ahead of the next Assembly elections due in 2027.
Among the prominent contenders is Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Speaker of the Manipur Assembly and MLA from Yaiskul constituency, who earlier served as a minister between 2020 and 2022. Another senior leader is Thongam Biswajit Singh, MLA from Thongju, who has been in the Assembly since 2012 and has held key portfolios including Environment and Public Works.
Yumnam Khemchand Singh, MLA from Singjamei, is also considered a strong contender. He previously served as Speaker from 2017 to 2022 and currently holds Cabinet portfolios including Municipal Administration, Housing Development, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Education.
Govindas Konthoujam, MLA from Bishnupur, is another frontrunner. A former Congress leader who joined the BJP ahead of the last Assembly elections, he has served as the State’s Public Works Minister.
Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh, a four-time MLA from Nambol and a former Indian Administrative Service officer, is also being seen as a potential choice. He earlier served as Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is currently a minister in the second N. Biren Singh ministry.
Another name in circulation is Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, MLA from Heirok in Thoubal district. A retired Indian Police Service officer, he is a recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
The 60-member Manipur Assembly currently has 37 BJP MLAs. Other parties and allies include one member from the Janata Dal (United), six from the National People’s Party, five from the Naga People’s Front, five from the Congress, two from the Kuki People’s Alliance, and three Independents.