Amid significant political speculation regarding the potential formation of a new government in Manipur, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) central leadership convened a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, December 14. The crucial discussions, which took place from approximately 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, were jointly attended by BJP legislators from both the Meitei and Kuki communities, marking a key development in the state’s ongoing political and ethnic crisis. The primary focus of the deliberations was squarely on restoring peace, achieving normalcy, and ensuring unhindered movement across the entire state.
The meeting brought together 34 BJP MLAs from Manipur with senior central leaders, including BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh and the party’s Northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra. Among the attendees were Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Th. Satyabrata and former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, as well as the BJP Manipur unit president A. Sharda Devi. Notably, four of the seven BJP MLAs from the Kuki community participated: Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi), Ngursanglur Sanate (Tipaimukh), L.M. Khaute (Churachandpur), and Letzamang Haokip (Henglep). Three other Kuki BJP legislators—Letpao Haokip (Tengnoupal), Paolienlal Haokip (Saikot), and Vungzagin Valte (Thanlon)—were absent, with their non-attendance attributed to unavoidable reasons.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the central leadership emphasized the critical need for unity among all party legislators to help facilitate the return of peace and developmental progress in Manipur. A particular focus was placed on restoring free and safe movement between the hill and valley regions, a necessity that has remained disrupted amidst prolonged ethnic tensions in the state. Sources further indicated that the issue of forming a popular government, which has been the subject of intense public discussion, was not a central item on the meeting’s agenda. The central leadership reportedly conveyed that any discussions on government formation would only be taken up once conditions of safety and unrestricted movement are fully restored across Manipur. The state has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
