Imphal – The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] removed its Manipur unit president, Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, for withdrawing support from the BJP-led N. Biren Singh government without consulting the central leadership. The announcement was made by JD(U) general secretary Afaque Ahmed.
Party spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad confirmed the decision, citing Kshetrimayum’s failure to take the central leadership into confidence before making the move. The lone JD(U) MLA in Manipur, Md Abdul Nasir, representing the Jiribam constituency, has now been declared an Opposition member in the 60-member Assembly.
Despite this development, the withdrawal of support is unlikely to affect the stability of the N. Biren Singh-led government. The BJP holds 37 seats in the Assembly and has additional support from five MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and three independents.
The political scenario in Manipur has been volatile since the ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities began in May 2023. Seven BJP MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community have distanced themselves from the government during this crisis.
Previously, the JD(U) had won six seats in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections. However, five MLAs later joined the BJP, leaving the JD(U) with a single MLA. The disqualification case of these MLAs is still pending before the Speaker’s Tribunal under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
In November 2024, the National People’s Party (NPP), led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, also withdrew support from the BJP government, citing its inability to resolve the ethnic conflict and restore peace in the state. The NPP holds six seats in the Assembly.
The political dynamics in Manipur remain tense as efforts to address the ongoing ethnic conflict continue.
