JAN 4, 2026 (IMP): BJP MLA Nemcha Kipgen (of Kangpokpi AC) scripted history by becoming the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur. She is also the first from the state to take the oath as Deputy CM virtually, joining the ceremony from Manipur Bhawan at Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, today.
The oath-taking ceremony began at 6 PM on Wednesday at Manipur Lok Bhawan in Imphal, where BJP legislature leader Yumnam Khemchand was sworn in as Manipur Chief Minister, NPF MLA Losii Dikho as Deputy CM, and BJP MLA K. Govindas as Home Minister.
Nemcha Kipgen, a four-time MLA, was first elected in 2012 from the Kangpokpi constituency. She served as Minister for Social Welfare and Cooperation during 2017–2020 in the first Biren Singh ministry. She was also the Cabinet Minister for Textiles, Commerce, and Industry in the second Biren Singh ministry.
It may be mentioned that the first woman elected to the Manipur State Assembly was the late Hangmila Shaiza, who was elected on a Janata Dal ticket from the Ukhrul Assembly Constituency in 1990. Hangmila Shaiza was the wife of the late former Chief Minister Yangmasho Shaiza.
