BJP’s balancing act in Manipur to bridge ethnic faultlines

Guwahati: For the BJP’s central leadership, revoking nearly one year of President’s Rule and reinstating a stable govt in Manipur is less about numbers and more about navigating the fault lines of identity and trust.BJP pulled off this political balancing act — elevating Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a Meitei, as chief minister and pairing him with Nemcha Kipgen, a Kuki from BJP, and Losii Dikho, a Naga from NPF, as deputy chief ministers. Also ally NPP member K Loken Singh, alongside BJP legislator Govindas Konthoujam have been inducted. And the timing was crucial too. With elections due in 2027, BJP could not afford another year of suspended animation under President’s Rule. Forming a govt now allows it to project stability, reclaim political ground, and showcase inclusivity before voters.On paper, the party holds the numbers — 37 MLAs of its own, backed by allies NPF (5), NPP (6), and one from JD(U). In reality, however, arithmetic alone could not bridge Manipur’s deep ethnic divide.Party sources said central leaders Tarun Chugh and Sambit Patra worked the back channels, bringing Meitei and Kuki MLAs under one roof in New Delhi late last year, signalling seriousness about reconciliation.Manipur, however, carries the weight of history. It holds the record for the highest number of President’s Rule impositions in India—11 times in 58 years — and has seen 12 chief ministers since its merger with India in 1949, underscoring its turbulent political journey.Most past instances of President’s Rule in Manipur were triggered by breakdowns in law and order, govt collapses due to defections, and internal party conflicts and even allegations of corruption. This pattern has made Manipur synonymous with fragile governance and frequent interventions from the Centre.The latest spell was imposed on Feb 13, 2025 after the resignation of N Biren Singh’s govt, following conflict that resulted in the depth of ethnic fractures between Meiteis and Kukis. More than 260 people were killed and thousands displaced in violence since May 2023.Civil society bodies like the Kuki-Zo Council have openly opposed their MLAs joining any govt, warning they would be doing so “at their own risk.”This was not just a tightrope walk but a test of survival. But the symbolic representation must translate into genuine power-sharing. Rehabilitation of displaced families, surrender of looted arms, and demands for autonomy cannot be brushed aside. If these issues are mishandled, the govt risks being undermined from within, political observers feel.