As many as seventeen BJP MLAs in Manipur have now come together demanding the formation of a new government with a fresh Chief Ministerial face, signalling a widening internal rebellion against former CM N Biren Singh.
In a major political shift, four more BJP MLAs—namely Karam Shyam of Langthabal AC, Govindas Konthoujam of Bishnupur AC, Sapam Kunjakeshwor alias Keba of Patsoi AC, and Khongbantabam Ibomcha of Lamlai AC—have joined the group of 13 dissident MLAs opposing Biren Singh’s re-continuation as Chief Minister.
According to a BJP legislator who spoke to Manipur Update, a decisive meeting is set to be held on May 19 at the residence of Karam Shyam in Chajing, Imphal. This will be the first time all 17 MLAs will convene together since the revolt began taking shape.
Ahead of this, a late-night meeting was held at Keba’s residence in Tera, Imphal, where the four new MLAs met with four others from the original 13—namely Dr. Y. Radheshyam of Hiyanglam, Yumnam Khemchand of Singjamei, Khumukcham Joykishan of Thangmeiband, and S. Rajen of Lamshang.
Sources reveal the meeting focused on aligning strategies and reinforcing the consensus that Biren Singh should be replaced.
Interestingly, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata, reportedly one of the MLAs critical of Biren’s leadership, will not attend the May 19 meeting, though he remains part of the dissident bloc.
The May 19 session is expected to outline the roadmap for leadership transition and possibly set the stage for talks with MLAs from coalition partners such as NPP, NPF, JD(U), and Independents. A broader meeting with these groups is expected to be scheduled after the May 19 discussions.
It may be recalled that on April 29, as many as 21 MLAs—including 13 from the BJP, three each from NPP and NPF, and two Independents—submitted a formal representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking intervention to install a popular government acceptable to the people of Manipur.
With political temperatures rising and dissent within the BJP ranks hardening, Manipur may be on the brink of a leadership overhaul. All eyes are now on the outcome of the May 19 gathering.
