The landmark quote still remembered today, when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, is “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” and the first two Kuki-Zo BJP MLAs—Ngursanglur Sanate (four-time MLA of Tipaimukh AC) and Lallian Mang (LM) Khaute (Churachandpur AC)—from Churachandpur district of Manipur, who set foot in Imphal for the first time post-conflict for new government formation, have now been regarded as a giant step towards peace and development in the conflict-ravaged state.
The President’s Rule, which was imposed on February 13, 2025, has now officially been revoked from today (February 4, 2026), according to a Gazette Notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. With this new development, the 7th Session of the 12th Manipur Assembly is expected to be held from February 6 (Friday), 2026.
“With the formation of the new Council of Ministers, peace and development will serve as the guiding principle of the new government,” BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand wrote on social media. He is set to take the oath as Manipur Chief Minister at 6 PM at Lok Bhawan.
Along with Y. Khemchand, MLA Nemcha Kipgen of Kangpokpi AC and NPF MLA Loisii Dikho of Mao AC are likely to be inducted as Deputy Chief Ministers of Manipur. Sources said Nemcha Kipgen will take the oath virtually.
The NDA leadership team arrived this morning at Imphal Airport along with BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, BJP NE In-Charge Sambit Patra, and State President A. Sharda on the same flight. The NDA legislators then drove straight from the airport to Lok Bhawan in Imphal to stake a claim for government formation before Manipur Governor A.K. Bhalla.
There are currently 37 BJP MLAs in Manipur in the 60-member State Assembly. The BJP originally won 32 seats in the 2022 Assembly elections. Later, five MLAs from the JD(U), who had won six seats, joined the BJP, taking the party’s strength to 37.
The alliance MLAs include six from the National People’s Party (NPP), five from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), two from the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA), one from the Janata Dal (United), and three Independents. There is one vacant seat following the death of sitting NPP MLA N. Kayisii of Tadubi AC.
