Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has accused sections of the state BJP leadership of conspiring with the Congress to force his resignation. Singh stepped down on February 9, 2025, facing internal dissent and a looming no-confidence motion. Current Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh, previously a cabinet minister under Biren, now leads the administration.
Biren questioned the narrative that his exit was required for peace. He pointed to persistent conflict that has since spread to other communities. The former leader noted that tensions now involve Christian groups, asking why previous international observers remain silent. "Now Biren is out. So, what happened now? How many Naga brothers have died? They were blaming me. They were saying I favour the majority. Now it is Christians versus Christians. Where has the European Union gone?" he asked.
The former Chief Minister alleged a long-standing internal vendetta. He claimed certain BJP leaders never accepted his transition from the Congress party to the BJP, viewing the party as their personal property. He specifically exempted Delhi leadership from his claims but emphasized that state-level infighting sabotaged his tenure. He described his inability to finish his work as a failure of leadership during a crisis, stating that treating the state required a specialist, not a generalist.
Public confidence remains low. Biren urged the current government to ramp up communication regarding key policy agendas. He specifically cited anti-drug campaigns, efforts to stop poppy cultivation, and biometric registration of illegal immigrants. He noted that official updates on these immigration checks have vanished for over a year. He urged the government to hold identified illegal immigrants in camps even if they cannot be immediately deported.
Despite his criticisms, Biren insisted that the BJP must win the upcoming Assembly elections to secure the state's future. He deflected questions about a personal return to the top office, stating that such a decision relies on the party securing a clear majority, though he noted an intense public demand for his comeback.
Comments