Biren Singh Quits As Chief Minister 2 Years After Manipur Violence Began

Guwahati:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has resigned to quell dissidence in the state BJP against his leadership as his government faces the possibility of a Congress no-confidence motion and a floor test.

The Chief Minister handed his resignation to the Governor this evening. 

While the BJP has the numbers despite the withdrawal of support by ally Conrad Sangma’s National Peoples’ Party, there was a possibility that the MLAs who sought a change in leadership in the state, would have disregarded a party whip in case of a floor test. 

To avert that possibility, the Chief Minister stepped down after conferring with the Central leadership.

Mr Singh had gone to Delhi this morning where he met party chief JP Nadda and its chief strategist, Union minister Amit Shah. 

Around 12 MLAs are strongly pushing for a leadership change, and there are around six fence sitters, party sources said. The sources also added that the Speaker and the chief minister have had “differences”. 

Sources said given the BJP’s success in Delhi polls, the party high command does not want the Manipur situation to overshadow the growing positive political narrative.