With Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigning on Sunday, finalising his replacement is the next big task for the BJP. The party’s central leadership may buy time for evolving a consensus for it, sources said.
According to a statement from the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has asked N Biren Singh to continue in office till “alternative arrangements” are made. Sources said that while putting in his papers, Singh recommended that the Assembly be kept in suspended animation making it possible for the MLAs to reach a consensus on his replacement. However, since there is no leader yet who enjoys the support of a majority of party MLAs, the Centre may have to impose President’s Rule. Hours after Biren resigned, Governor Bhalla issued a notification declaring the previous order summoning the Assembly, which was set to convene on Monday, “null and void”.
“The CM has recommended the suspended animation of the Assembly. Biren Singh is likely to continue as the caretaker till the Centre takes a call on it,” said a BJP leader in the state. Governor Bhalla is expected to submit his report to the Centre within a few days and if a consensus CM is not found, President’s Rule may be imposed.
According to Article 356 of the Constitution, the proclamation of President’s Rule shall be laid before each house of Parliament within two months. If not, then President’s Rule shall cease to expire.
However, sources said the Centre was looking to buy more time before going to Parliament, which is currently in session. The first part of the Budget session, although scheduled till February 13, is likely to be adjourned for recess two days in advance as Wednesday is a holiday because of Ravidas Jayanti. The Budget session is scheduled to resume on March 10 and conclude on April 4. If the imposition of President’s Rule takes place after Parliament breaks for recess, the matter can come up only when it meets next.
Differing views on road ahead
Although there was speculation that Manipur Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and Urban Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand could emerge as potential candidates for the CM’s post, sources in the BJP said the decision would be taken after thorough discussions.
Sources indicated President’s Rule could be initially imposed for four to five months and extended till a consensus candidate for CM was found. President’s Rule can be extended by up to six months each time.
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“We all are disciplined karyakartas (workers) of the party. We have not taken any steps that would embarrass the party or the leadership. I am sure the leadership will hold discussions and find a replacement for Biren Singh,” said a BJP MLA.
Another legislator suggested that opting for an extended President’s Rule would show the BJP in a poor light. “We have 37 out of 60 MLAs in the Assembly. Our allies NPF and NPP have a total of 11 MLAs. We have a complete majority. The government has to be run by the state BJP. Neither is there a political crisis in that sense nor is the law and order situation worse than what it has been for so many months,” said the MLA.
Among groups on either side of the ethnic divide in the state, there are starkly differing views on what the road forward should look like. Among Kuki-Zo groups, the push is for the Centre to completely take over the governance of the state. Kuki Zo Council chairperson Henlianthang Thangliet referred to the possibility of another BJP leader from the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley taking up the reins as “old wine in a new bottle”. The council is a civil society organisation based in Churachandpur.
“Biren Singh’s resignation has come very late but it will be very good for us if there is President’s Rule in the state. If they choose another leader from the Valley, it will just be old wine in a new bottle. If the Centre is in charge, we can talk directly to the Governor. If that happens, I will be more optimistic,” he said.
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Meitei civil society leader Jeetendra Ningomba who was formerly the coordinator of prominent Meitei civil society organisation COCOMI expressed opposite views, saying that President’s Rule would be “unacceptable”.
“The people of Manipur have suffered for a long time under President’s Rule and have struggled against it. It is not acceptable to civilians. But if there is a new chief minister, there will be more divisions in our community which is very unfortunate. We need unity and integrity,” he said.
