Context: Will prioritise peace, says the Chief Minister; BJP’s Kuki-Zo member Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho of the Naga People’s Front sworn in as Deputy CMs; two more MLAs take oath as Ministers
- The installation of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government, with a Meitei leader at the helm, brought an end to nearly a year of President’s Rule in Manipur.
- Around 6 p.m., Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office to former Assembly Speaker and martial artist Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the State’s second Chief Minister since the 2022 election.
- The first, Nongthombam Biren Singh, resigned on February 9, 2025, following the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities that broke out on May 3, 2023. The swearing-in ceremony followed the revocation of President’s Rule, which was imposed on February 13, 2025.
- Mr. Khemchand Singh represents the BJP from the Singjamei constituency.
- The BJP’s Kangpokpi MLA, Nemcha Kipgen, from the Kuki-Zo community, and Naga People’s Front MLA Losii Dikho, a Naga leader representing the Mao constituency, were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. The former took the oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi.
- Two other Meitei MLAs — Govindas Konthoujam of the BJP (Bishnupur) and Khuraijam Loken Singh of the National People’s Party (Wangoi) — were sworn in as Ministers at the Lok Bhavan in Manipur’s capital, Imphal. “There will always be challenges. We will prioritise peace and work for the State’s development and growth,” Mr. Khemchand Singh said after swearing in.