Manipur’s Political Crisis: Leadership Vacuum and Constitutional Concerns

Manipur is once again at the crossroads of a political and constitutional crisis. On February 9, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh suddenly tendered his resignation, which was promptly accepted by the Governor. However, instead of appointing a new Chief Minister, the Governor designated him as a caretaker CM, raising concerns about governance and stability in the state. What makes the situation even more precarious is that this development unfolded just a day before the scheduled commencement of the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
This sudden move has set the stage for a potential constitutional crisis. According to Article 174(1) of the Indian Constitution, the Governor is mandated to summon the State Legislature at least once every six months. By February 11, this deadline expires, and the failure to convene the Assembly session within this timeframe would violate constitutional provisions. While this violation does not automatically dissolve the Assembly, it could invite legal challenges, political instability, and potentially the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356.
Despite having a majority in the Assembly, the BJP’s central leadership has failed to act decisively in appointing a new Chief Minister. The prolonged delay in selecting a successor to N. Biren Singh raises questions about the party’s internal decision-making process and its ability to manage the crisis effectively. If the party already had the numbers, why did they not expedite the appointment of a new leader? The unnecessary delay has only exacerbated instability and fueled speculation about deeper political rifts within the party.
Moreover, the earlier demand of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs was for the replacement of N. Biren Singh, a demand that was conspicuously ignored for months. Now, even after his resignation, the BJP leadership has not taken proactive steps to consolidate its MLAs across different communities and chart a way forward for Manipur. This reluctance to act decisively has left the state in limbo, with governance at a standstill at a time when the people desperately need political stability and administrative efficiency.
With the six-month deadline for summoning the Assembly session expiring, Manipur is on the brink of a serious constitutional challenge. The Governor’s inaction could trigger a legal battle, opposition backlash, and widespread uncertainty. The bigger question now is whether the Centre is already preparing to impose Article 356 (President’s Rule) in the state. If that happens, it will not only sideline the elected representatives but also raise concerns about democratic governance in Manipur.
The failure to summon the Assembly on time will not automatically dissolve it, but it will create a vacuum that could be exploited to justify direct central intervention. If this is indeed the strategy, it sets a dangerous precedent where political maneuvering overrides constitutional obligations. The responsibility to avoid this crisis rests squarely on both the Governor and the Central BJP leadership.
Manipur’s political turmoil cannot be resolved through delays, caretaker arrangements, or external interventions. The BJP leadership must act immediately to resolve its internal differences and appoint a new Chief Minister who can take charge and restore normalcy. The Governor, too, must act in accordance with constitutional provisions and ensure that the Legislative Assembly functions as mandated by law.
If the central BJP truly values democratic governance in Manipur, it must prioritize political consolidation across all communities, rather than allowing prolonged uncertainty. The state has already suffered due to ethnic conflicts and administrative paralysis—prolonging this crisis would only deepen the wounds. The time for decisive leadership and responsible governance is now. Manipur cannot afford to be held hostage to political indecisiveness any longer.