Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla today convened a high-level meeting with ruling MLAs and senior state officials at Raj Bhavan, sparking speculation of a significant political shift in Manipur. The agenda of the closed-door meeting was not disclosed. Those present included BJP State President A. Sharda Devi, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and DGP Rajiv Singh.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s reaffirmation to restore an elected government in the conflict-hit state, which has been under President’s Rule since February 13. Former Chief Minister Biren Singh resigned earlier this year amid escalating ethnic violence and a prolonged governance crisis.
Highly placed sources indicated that the meeting could be linked to the speculated visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected to take place on September 13. State authorities have reportedly been making extensive preparations for the high-profile VVIP visit. According to reliable inputs, the Prime Minister is likely to arrive in Manipur after inaugurating the Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line in Mizoram earlier in the day.
The tentative itinerary suggests that Modi will attend the Bhupen Hazarika birth centenary celebrations in Guwahati before flying to Aizawl to inaugurate the railway project at 10:30 am. He is then expected to proceed to Churachandpur for a public event at the Peace Ground before arriving at Kangla in Imphal around 1:30 pm. The Prime Minister is likely to depart from Imphal at around 2:30 pm. Kangpokpi-based Kuki civil society organisations are also expected to join the Churachandpur programme.
Preparations in both Imphal and Churachandpur have intensified. At Kangla Fort, a grand stage capable of accommodating over 15,000 people is under construction, with materials reportedly brought in from outside the state. More than 100 labourers are engaged in the work, while security presence has been visibly increased. Cleaning, painting, and landscaping are also underway in and around the fort, the traditional seat of power of Manipuri rulers. Road medians along the 7 km stretch from Imphal airport to Kangla Fort are being repainted, and trees along the route trimmed.
Officials in Churachandpur confirmed that similar works are being carried out at the Peace Ground venue. While authorities have yet to make an official announcement, BJP leaders in the state have indicated that if the Prime Minister visits, he will be accorded a grand reception.
The possible visit would mark Modi’s first to Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The conflict has claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands. The opposition has repeatedly criticised the BJP-led government for the Prime Minister’s absence from the violence-hit state.
With the State Assembly under suspended animation and President’s Rule in force, the outcome of the Governor’s closed-door meeting and the anticipated visit of the Prime Minister are being closely watched for their political significance.