India: President’s Rule imposed in trouble-torn Manipur

Imphal: President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur late on Thursday under Article 356 of the Constitution five days after the state Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from the post following the directions from the central BJP leaders.

A notification issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Thursday that President Droupadi Murmu has received a report from the Governor of Manipur and after considering the report and other information received by the President, she was 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.

“Now, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me on that behalf, I hereby proclaim that I (a) 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 that State declare that the powers of the Legislature of the said state shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament, and make the following incidental and consequential provisions which appear to me to be necessary or desirable for giving effect to the objects of this Proclamation,” the notification reads.

The BJP’s northeast in-charge Sambit Patra after the imposition of the President’s rule said that the “60-member state assembly is put under suspended animation”.

Meanwhile, after the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, hectic parleys took place to choose another leader of the ruling BJP legislature party who would lead the new government.

Since February 9, Patra held a series of meetings with the Ministers, MLAs and leaders of BJP and other party allies to take their views on Monday, before the selection of the new legislature party leader.

He also held at least three meetings with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Raj Bhavan and discussed the prevailing political situation in the trouble-torn state.

A top BJP leader said that after hectic parleys, they could not finalise a consensus name of the leader of the legislature party who could be the next Chief Minister after Biren Singh’s resignation.

“There are three groups among the Ministers and MLAs proposing different names for the CM’s post. When there is no consensus among the legislature, the Governor recommended to the President through the MHA to promulgate the President’s rule in the state,” a leader told IANS refusing to be named.

The possibility of a President’s Rule issue dominated the headlines after the Governor made the budget session of the Manipur assembly ‘null and void’ hours after Biren Singh quit on February 9.

The Budget session of the Manipur Assembly was scheduled to start on February 10 with the customary speech of the Governor and it would have continued till February 24.

On February 14, Chief Minister Biren Singh, who also held the Finance portfolio, was expected to submit the Budget estimates for the financial year 2025-26.

A top official said that the last session of the Manipur assembly was held on August 12 last year and as part of the constitutional mandate another session must be held within six months.

“By February 12, the Assembly session has to be started to maintain the gap of six months between the two sessions,” the official clarified while talking to IANS.