N Biren Singh steps down as Manipur CM after two years of ethnic violence

N Biren Singh, the chief minister of India’s violence-hit Manipur state, tendered his resignation Sunday (February 9).

The move comes following two years of ethnic violence in the country’s northeastern state, which resulted in the death of hundreds of people.

The CM was reportedly facing pressure from both inside and outside of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

CM Singh earlier met the Manipur governor in the state capital Imphal. “It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur so far,” Singh said in his letter.

Congress’s no-confidence threat looms

News 18 reported citing sources that the threat of a no-confidence vote by the opposition Congress party may have led the CM to call it quits.

The sources said that Congress was confident of gaining support from dissenting lawmakers from the BJP.

Meanwhile, the Manipur governor, Ajay Bhalla, reportedly apprised the central government of the evolving situation.

The BJP government in the state had significantly weakened following the exit of Conrad Sangma’s National Peoples’ Party (NPP) last year. The NPP cited the failure of the government to curb ethnic violence in the state for its move.

Despite the NPP’s exit, the BJP maintained a majority in the local assembly. However, the party feared that some lawmakers, who were not happy with state leadership, may back out if a no-confidence vote takes place.

The number game

In the 60-seat assembly of Manipur, the BJP has 32 MLAs.

The party is backed by five lawmakers of the Naga People’s Front and six of JD(U).

Congress has five legislators whereas NPP has seven MLAs.

Manipur’s ethnic violence

Since ethnic violence began in the state two years ago between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomi-Hmar communities, 258 people have died and more than 59,000 have faced displacement.

Kuki-Zomi-Hmar groups had been calling for Singh’s removal for months citing his alleged partisan approach and majoritarian policies.

(With inputs from agencies)