Khemchand Singh Sworn In as 13th CM of Manipur Hours After Centre Revokes President's Rule

BJP

legislator Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in on Wednesday as the 13th chief minister of Manipur, nearly a year after President’s Rule was imposed following prolonged ethnic violence in the state.The 62-year-old leader took the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhavan in Imphal, administered by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, hours after the Centre revoked President’s Rule. Former chief minister N Biren Singh had resigned amid months of unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities.BJP MLA Nemcha Kipgen from the Kuki community and Naga People’s Front legislator L Dikho were sworn in as deputy chief ministers. Kipgen took her oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new leadership, saying he was confident they would work for the development and prosperity of Manipur.Manipur has been affected by ethnic violence since May 2023, triggered by protests against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. At least 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the violence.

Speaking after taking oath, Khemchand Singh appealed for peace, saying Manipur is home to 36 communities and all must work together to restore normalcy. He said both the prime minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had placed trust in him.An hour after the swearing-in ceremony, the first Cabinet meeting of the newly formed Manipur government also held today under the leadership of the new Chief Minister at the chief minister’s bungalow on Wednesday night, officials said.

Chief secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel also attended the meeting along with deputy chief miniser L Dikho and newly sworn-in ministers Govindas Konthoujam and K Loken Singh."The meeting also marked the beginning of collective decision-making and governance for the newly constituted State Cabinet" it said.Meanwhile, the Lok Bhavan has informed that four political parties have extended unconditional support to the BJP.In a statement, it said, "Four political parties, viz. National People's Party (6 Members), Naga People's Front (5 Members), Janata Dal-United (1 Member), and two Independent Members have extended their unconditional support to BJP."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCYzdX9ayMU

In a late-evening development, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla summoned the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Thursday afternoon, an official statement said.The statement issued by Assembly Secretary Rohit Sapam said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (l ) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, hereby summon the 7th Session of the Twelfth Manipur Legislative Assembly to meet at 1600 hours on Thursday, the 5th February, 2026."Manipur was placed under President’s rule on February 13, 2025, days after the BJP-led government headed by N Biren Singh resigned amid mounting criticism over its handling of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The 60-member state assembly, which has a term until 2027, had been kept in suspended animation since then.Singh, 62, was elected leader of the BJP legislature party on Tuesday in New Delhi and later endorsed as NDA leader. BJP leaders said five legislators, including Singh, will be sworn in as ministers.