New Government Takes Shape in Manipur as Khemchand Set to Become Chief Minister
In a significant political development, Manipur is poised to get a new government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yumnam Khemchand, ending nearly a year of Central rule. The move signals an attempt to restore stability in the state ravaged by ethnic strife.
According to sources, Yumnam Khemchand arrived in Imphal on Wednesday and is expected to meet the Governor to formally stake claim to form the government. He will then take oath as the Chief Minister, heading a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition. In a notable step towards inclusive leadership, the new cabinet is likely to feature two Deputy Chief Ministers, including Kuki leader Nemcha Kipgen, who would become the state's first woman Deputy CM.
A Delicate Balance of Leadership
The decision follows a meeting of the Manipur BJP legislative party in New Delhi on Tuesday, where Yumnam Khemchand, the MLA from Singjamei, was elected as its leader. The names are expected to be ratified in a meeting of NDA MLAs.
Khemchand, a former Speaker and minister in the previous Biren Singh cabinet, is seen as a figure from the majority Meitei community but with a more moderate stance. His outreach to Kuki-dominated areas in late 2025 marked him as a potential bridge-builder.
Historic Inclusion in the Cabinet
The proposed cabinet structure aims to address the state's deep ethnic divisions. The two Deputy Chief Minister roles are strategically assigned:
Nemcha Kipgen: A BJP MLA from the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi constituency, she has served as a minister in previous governments. Her inclusion is a direct outreach to the Kuki-Zo community.
Losii Dikho: An MLA from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), representing the Naga community, ensuring broader tribal representation.
This arrangement attempts to balance the political equation after violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities forced the resignation of then-CM N. Biren Singh in February 2025, leading to the imposition of President's Rule.
Why This Government Formation Matters Now
The timing is critical. President's Rule is set to expire on February 12, 2026. The BJP, with 37 MLAs in the 60-member house (now suspended), is maneuvering to install a government for the remainder of the term until 2027. The new leadership's immediate and immense challenge will be to navigate the complex path to lasting peace.
Background: The Roots of the Conflict
The ethnic violence that precipitated the political crisis stemmed from several key issues:
Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status Demand: A Manipur High Court order in April 2023 to consider ST status for the Meitei community ignited Kuki fears over land rights and demographic change in the hills.
Separate Administration Demand: Sections of the Kuki-Zo community have escalated calls for a separate administrative unit, a demand rejected by the state government.
Drug Trade Allegations: Accusations by Meitei groups and the former government implicating Kukis in drug trafficking from Myanmar have fueled severe mistrust.
The formation of this new government, with its unprecedented structure, is a major political experiment for Manipur. All eyes will now be on Chief Minister-designate Yumnam Khemchand and his team to see if this coalition can translate political symbolism into tangible peace and reconciliation on the ground.
.jpg)
