As predicted President's Rule imposed in Manipur .... four days days after CM N Biren Singh's resignation

Manipur has been placed under President's Rule after the BJP failed to name a successor following the resignation of N Biren Singh as the Chief Minister.

Article 174(1) of the Constitution mandates that state Assemblies must be convened within six months of their last sitting. In Manipur, the last Assembly session was held on August 12, 2024, making Wednesday the deadline for its next sitting.

The Govt notification says:

 "Whereas, 1, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, have received a report from the Governor of the State of Manipur and after considering the report and other information received by me, I am satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of that State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India (hereinafter referred to as the Constitution);

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf. I hereby proclaim that I assume to myself as President of India all functions of the Government of the State of Manipur and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of the that State:

The notification also declared that the powers of the Legislature of the state shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament....

N Biren Singh handed over his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Feb 9th evening amid buzz over a no-confidence motion and floor test by Congress.

 

Most importantly, the resignation of the beleaguered Chief Minister came within weeks former Home Secretary Bhalla was appointed new Governor of the state. 

It was given to understand in December that Governor Bhalla has a vast experience on issues of importance and will "closely monitor state's performance.

There was another typical line with a mixed message. They said all of it also  depended on how Chief  Minister N Biren Singh) leverage his experience to improve governance in the State. 

Another northeast watcher says, "If the chief minister have ulterior interests they will be surely uncomfortable under the new Governor". 

A large number of people were killed in Manipur in the clashes between Meiteis and Kukis and Zos; while scores of others have been injured. 

Thousands have fled Manipur with over 8,000 people now taking shelter in Mizoram. Kukis share ethnic bonding with the Mizos and hence the demand for Greater Mizoram also rekindled.

One can say the state of Manipur as a whole and three segments of societies -- the Meiteis, the Kukis and Nagas - cannot be seen flirting dangerously with civil unrest. The northeastern region has seen enough of such clashes and enough of so-called ethnic 'cleansing'. 

Biharis, Bengali Hindus and Gorkhalis have been at the receiving end in Shillong in Meghalaya and people left for good.

Forget tribals-non tribals; episodes like the Reang-Mizo differences and Naga-Kuki issues of the 1990s were really unfortunate. It is time sanity prevails and the 'sincerity' displayed by all will be important achievements.

True, even after 2023 ethnic conflict, Biren Singh fiddled with power. 

But last few months - social workers and others in the state capital and in Kuki-stronghold Churachandpur feel his focus was not the governance nor the state. 

He was more into contemplating or analysing things happening around him - whether he would be disturbed or replaced or he would survive and will be allowed to continue in office by New Delhi.