President's rule imposed in Manipur after CM Biren Singh's resignation
What's the story
President's Rule has been imposed in the northeastern state of Manipur after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned.
The development came after the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to reach a consensus on Singh's successor.
President's rule refers to the suspension of state government and the imposition of direct Union government administration in a state.
Political uncertainty
BJP explores governance options amid unrest
Article 174(1) of the Constitution requires state assemblies to convene within six months of their last sitting.
The last Assembly session in Manipur was conducted on August 12, 2024, hence Wednesday is the deadline for the next sitting.
However, following Singh's resignation on Sunday, Governor Ajay Bhalla called off the Budget session, which was slated to begin on Monday.
Singh resigned just a day before his government was scheduled to face a no-confidence vote and a crucial floor test.
Letter
Singh allegedly losing support among BJP MLAs
In his resignation letter to Governor Bhalla, Singh thanked the central government for timely actions, interventions, developmental work and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interest of every single Manipuri.
The Congress, however, contended that the resignation was intended to save the BJP rather than the people of Manipur.
According to PTI sources, Singh was losing support among BJP MLAs, several of whom met with party leaders in Delhi to express their dissatisfaction with his continued leadership.
Reasons
SC seeks report on alleged Singh audio clip on violence
His resignation also came days after the Supreme Court asked authorities to produce the report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory on purported audiotapes alleging Singh's involvement in the ethnic violence.
Rahul Gandhi had mentioned the Supreme Court's action as one of the reasons for Singh's resignation.
"The resignation of CM Biren Singh shows that mounting public pressure, the SC investigation, and the Congress's no-confidence motion have forced a reckoning," he said.
Backstory
Manipur marred by violence since 2023
Manipur has been marred by violence since May 2023 over the Meiteis' demand to be included in the Scheduled Tribe's list.
More than 200 people have died since.
Meiteis account for 60% of the population and are largely concentrated in the Imphal Valley. In comparison, tribal-dominated hill areas reportedly cover 90% of Manipur.
Migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar has compounded the problem in Imphal. This has driven Meiteis to demand ST status, which the tribals have strongly protested.