Manipur BJP legislators from Meitei and Kuki communities jointly attended a high-level meeting convened by the party’s central leadership in New Delhi on Sunday evening. The meeting, which was organised amid heightened political speculation over the possible formation of a new government in Manipur, primarily focused on restoring peace between the two communities, normalcy, and ensuring unhindered movement across the strife-torn state. BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh and BJP’s Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra were present during the deliberations.
Altogether 34 BJP MLAs attended the meeting, including Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Th. Satyabrata and former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Four MLAs of the seven legislators from the Kuki community attended the meeting, comprising Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi), Ngursanglur Sanate (Tipaimukh), L.M. Khaute (Churachandpur), and Letzamang Haokip (Henglep). Three other MLAs – Letpao Haokip (Tengnoupal), Paolienlal Haokip (Saikot), and Vungzagin Valte (Thanlon)—were absent owing to, as cited, “unavoidable reasons”. BJP Manipur unit president A. Sharda Devi also took part in the meeting.
According to sources, the central leadership underscored the need for unity among party legislators to help facilitate peace and developmental progress in Manipur.
The deliberations underscored the need to restore free and safe movement between the hill and valley regions, which has remained disrupted amid prolonged ethnic tensions. Sources however said that the issue of forming a popular government was not the primary focus of the meeting with the leadership reportedly conveying that discussions on government formation would be taken up once normalcy and unrestricted movement are restored across the state. Manipur, which has seen ethnic violence and disturbance since May 2023, has been under President’s Rule since February 13 this year following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
