Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yumnam Khemchand is set to take charge as the next chief minister of Manipur after being unanimously chosen as the leader of the BJP legislative party on Tuesday.
The decision was taken at a meeting of BJP legislators held at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi, paving the way for a leadership transition in the violence-hit state.
Khemchand, a seasoned politician, has been elected twice to the Manipur Legislative Assembly from the Singjamei constituency, in 2017 and again in 2022.
He has previously served as the Speaker of the Assembly and was also a cabinet minister in the government led by N Biren Singh, giving him considerable administrative and legislative experience.
The leadership change follows the resignation of former chief minister N Biren Singh, who stepped down on February 9 last year amid prolonged ethnic unrest that has gripped Manipur for nearly three years.
His exit came against the backdrop of mounting political pressure, including the threat of a no-confidence motion.
The situation intensified after the National People’s Party, led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, withdrew support from the BJP-led government, accusing Biren Singh of failing to control the spiral of violence triggered by ethnic conflict.
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The withdrawal weakened the ruling coalition and contributed to the leadership crisis.
In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, the BJP currently holds 37 seats and is backed by allies including the Naga People’s Front with five legislators and the Janata Dal (United) with one.
The opposition comprises 16 MLAs from the National People’s Party, Congress, independents and the Kuki People’s Alliance, which had pulled out of the government in August 2023.
With the BJP retaining a majority in the Assembly, Khemchand’s selection as legislative party leader clears the way for him to be sworn in as chief minister, as the party looks to stabilise governance and navigate the state through its ongoing challenges.
