Yumnam Khemchand Singh Sworn in as Chief Minister of Manipur
In a significant development marking the end of nearly a year of central administration, Manipur witnessed the formation of a new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government on February 4, 2026. Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a senior BJP leader from the Meitei community, was sworn in as the new Chief Minister, succeeding the period of President’s Rule that had been in place since February 13, 2025. This move comes as the strife-torn state grapples with ongoing ethnic tensions between the Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga communities, which have plagued the region since May 2023.
The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, was administered by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Singh, 62, a veteran politician and martial arts enthusiast known for introducing Taekwondo to Assam and Manipur, was elected as the BJP legislature party leader on February 3, 2026. Representing the Singjamei constituency since 2017, Singh belongs to the majority Meitei community, which predominantly inhabits the valley regions of Manipur. His appointment is seen as a consensus choice aimed at bridging divides, especially after his notable visit to Kuki-Zo villages in December 2025 – the first by a Meitei MLA since the outbreak of violence.
Accompanying Singh in the new administration are two Deputy Chief Ministers, reflecting an effort to ensure representation from diverse ethnic groups. Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA from Kangpokpi and a member of the Kuki-Zo community, was sworn in as one Deputy Chief Minister. Kipgen, who rose through grassroots movements advocating for Kuki rights, becomes the first woman and the first from the Kuki-Zo tribe to hold this position. The second Deputy Chief Minister is Losii Dikho, from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), representing the Mao constituency and hailing from the Naga community. Dikho, a three-term MLA and former minister, has been a vocal advocate for tribal rights in the hill districts.
The formation of this government follows the revocation of President’s Rule on February 4, 2026, just days before its constitutional deadline of February 13, 2026. President’s Rule was initially imposed on February 13, 2025, after the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid escalating ethnic violence and unrest. It was extended multiple times, with the last extension approved by Parliament in August 2025 for another six months. The state assembly, elected in 2022, was placed under suspended animation during this period, avoiding fresh elections.
The underlying election that formed the current assembly took place in two phases on February 28 and March 5, 2022, with results declared on March 10, 2022. The BJP secured a majority in that poll, leading to the initial formation of the government under Biren Singh in March 2022. The current term of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly is set to expire in February 2027, meaning the new government under Singh will serve until then, unless dissolved earlier for fresh polls.
While the swearing-in has been hailed by BJP leaders as a step toward stability, it has not been without controversy. Some Kuki-Zo organizations have expressed reservations, stating that participation by their MLAs in the government may not heal deep-seated divisions. Critics, including legal experts on social media, have raised questions about the constitutionality of revoking President’s Rule prematurely without addressing underlying issues, labeling it a potential “constitutional fraud” to avoid elections where the BJP might face losses. However, supporters argue that restoring an elected government is essential for dialogue and peace-building in the ethnically diverse state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new team via social media, expressing confidence in their ability to foster development and harmony. The first session of the revived assembly is scheduled to convene on February 5, 2026, where the government will face its initial test in proving its majority and outlining a roadmap for reconciliation.
As Manipur embarks on this new chapter, all eyes are on Chief Minister Singh and his deputies to navigate the complex ethnic landscape and restore normalcy to a state that has endured prolonged hardship.
