Manipur CM N Biren Singh Resigns Amid Growing Political Dissent

N Biren Singh resigned as Manipur’s Chief Minister due to internal dissent within the BJP and impending opposition moves against him. Governor Ajay Bhalla accepted the resignation but advised Singh to stay in office temporarily. The resignation stems from rising ethnic violence and loss of support among party lawmakers, with potential ramifications for the BJP’s future leadership.

Manipur’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned after a period of growing internal dissent within the Bharatiya Janata Party and escalating ethnic violence that resulted in over 250 casualties. This decision came shortly before the assembly session was scheduled, which heightened tensions amid threats of a no-confidence motion by the opposition Congress party. Governor Ajay Bhalla accepted his resignation and requested that Singh remain in office until a replacement is appointed, highlighting the volatile political climate.

The resignation appears tied to the ongoing ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, which erupted on May 3, 2023. Singh’s leadership has been criticized for failing to restore peace, leading to a loss of support from multiple lawmakers, including from his own party. Speculation suggests that Singh’s departure seeks to prevent further embarrassment for the BJP during the upcoming assembly session, where opposition was set to challenge him vehemently. Rattled by dissent among party MLAs, Singh attempted to secure support from party leaders in New Delhi but faced difficulty due to fractured alliances within the party.

Singh’s resignation underscores the BJP’s struggle to maintain unity amid rising tension in Manipur. The political landscape is shifting quickly, with the opposition poised to capitalize on the discontent. As the BJP seeks a new leader, the party faces the pressing need to address underlying issues to restore stability in the state. His departure could signal a strategic shift in handling the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com