Power Over Peace? Manipur MLAs Push for Government Revival Amid Unrest

Imphal: Twenty-one MLAs from Manipur — including 13 from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to revoke President’s Rule and reinstate an elected government in the violence-wracked state. Although the letter was submitted on April 10, it only came to public attention on April 30, triggering sharp criticism amid the region's ongoing instability.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of BJP Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who stepped down under intense public pressure over his administration’s failure to contain the ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023. The violence, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands, plunging the state into deep unrest.
Despite these tensions, the 21 legislators — from the BJP, National People’s Party (NPP), Naga People’s Front (NPF), and two Independents — have pressed for the revival of political governance, arguing that prolonged central rule has only deepened public disillusionment.
However, civil society leaders and political analysts have pushed back, accusing the MLAs of prioritizing political gain over genuine stability. They argue that the public’s loss of faith in the elected government — including many of the current petitioners — was precisely what triggered the imposition of President’s Rule.
“This violence escalated under their watch,” said a local human rights activist. “Now they seek to reclaim power without acknowledging their failures. Where is the accountability?” The MLAs’ letter warns of potential unrest if democratic processes are not resumed, but observers question whether it is wise or responsible to restore state governance amid such volatility.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Keisham Meghachandra Singh criticized the group for bypassing constitutional channels by not submitting their request to the Governor. “Instead of seeking government formation through established procedures, they are lobbying New Delhi. This is political theatre, not governance,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).