Nearly one year of President's rule; BJP with crucial move in Manipur; Yumnam Khemchand Singh to become Chief Minister 

Tuesday 03 February 2026 8:23 PM IST

NEW DELHI: BJP has made a crucial move as the President's rule in Manipur is set to end this month. The BJP has started its efforts to form a new government in the state. As part of this, BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh has been named the leader of the legislative party. Khemchand Singh will soon take office as the Chief Minister of Manipur. There will be two Deputy Chief Ministers. Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA from the Kangpokpi Assembly constituency and a prominent Kuki leader, is set to be appointed as a Deputy Chief Minister. Reports indicate that the second Deputy Chief Minister will be a representative from the Naga People’s Front (NPF).

Manipur has been under President's rule since February 13, 2025. The BJP is forming a government again with just days to go before the completion of a year. The BJP Parliamentary Board had appointed senior leader Tarun Chugh as the central observer to oversee the election of the legislature party leader. The BJP MLAs from Manipur had reached Delhi following the central leadership's call.

The BJP has 37 MLAs in the 60-member assembly. Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and former Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh were considered for the Manipur Chief Minister post as part of distinct factions vying for leadership.