BJP’s Manipur poll plans stalled amid continued violence

The election plan is delayed because the BJP is dealing with two crises at once. Violence has continued since May 2023, making security unpredictable and normal political activity difficult. The party also has internal divisions, so its state unit lacks a unified direction. Leaders are waiting for the central leadership to settle the campaign strategy.

The BJP hopes the Union government can restore peace and reduce tensions between Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga communities before polling. But its own organisation is divided. Party leaders say different camps sometimes work at cross purposes, even under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The high command has repeatedly had to intervene.

This uncertainty leaves party workers unsure how to begin campaigning. The BJP also needs credible relief and rehabilitation measures to address public grievances. Unless security improves and the party manages its internal disputes, the violence could weaken its campaign and give Opposition parties, especially Congress, a stronger opening.

The conflict is an episode of ethnic violence that began in Manipur in May 2023. It first broke out between the dominant Meitei community and the tribal Kuki community. The fighting then spread more widely, drawing in or affecting almost every community in the state. It has created deep suspicion and separated populations along ethnic lines.

The main divide is between Meitei and Kuki groups. Naga communities are also part of the wider crisis and have faced clashes involving Kuki members. The violence has produced ethnic enclaves, displaced residents and caused a breakdown of law and order. These divisions make political and administrative solutions especially difficult.

The conflict matters for the election because peace has not been restored. BJP leaders say the Union and state governments must take further political and administrative steps. They also say relief and rehabilitation are needed to address affected communities’ grievances and rebuild trust before polling.

Manipur’s crisis is large in both its human cost and its geographic impact. The article reports nearly 360 deaths and displacement of 66,000 people since violence began in May 2023. It also describes a complete breakdown of law and order, the creation of ethnic enclaves and a virtual bifurcation of the state.

The figures show that the conflict is not limited to isolated clashes. Large numbers of people have left their homes, and communities are living in separated areas shaped by ethnic identity. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge separately said that 24,530 people were still forced to live in relief camps under poor conditions. The two figures describe different aspects of displacement.

The crisis remains unresolved. People continue to face insecurity, while women, children and vulnerable families bear much of the burden. The scale of the displacement and territorial separation means that restoring peace will require security measures alongside rehabilitation, relief and political efforts to rebuild confidence between communities.

The election could become a referendum on the BJP’s handling of the crisis. Continuing violence damages the party’s claim that its state and Union governments can deliver effective “double-engine” governance. Internal disputes create a second weakness: even if the party wants to campaign on peace and stability, divided leaders may struggle to present one message.

The party’s difficulty is visible in its delayed planning. Its cadre are waiting for the high command to finalise the election programme. Disputes between communities also affect the government itself. The Centre must address relief, rehabilitation and security, while the state unit must contain rival camps. Failure on either front could deepen public frustration.

Congress is seeking the assembly’s dissolution and fresh elections, and Mallikarjun Kharge has criticised the government’s response. If violence and displacement continue, Opposition parties can highlight the BJP’s record. If peace improves and relief measures become credible, the BJP may have a better chance of defending its majority and seeking a third term.

Manipur is governed by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who took office on February 4, 2026. He is a former assembly speaker and a BJP leader from the Meitei community. His government was formed after President’s Rule ended and was presented as a setup including different communities.

Two deputy chief ministers were sworn in with him. Losii Dikho represents the Kuki-Zo community, while Nemcha Kipgen represents the Naga community. Their inclusion was intended to give the government broader community representation during a period of ethnic conflict. The ceremony was held quietly at the Lok Bhavan in Imphal.

That arrangement has come under strain. Relations between Dikho and Kipgen worsened amid clashes involving Naga and Kuki communities. Dikho and eight other Naga lawmakers accused Kipgen and her husband of colluding with Kuki militants; Kipgen rejected the allegations. The dispute shows how difficult inclusive government remains while ethnic suspicion continues.

The BJP first formed Manipur’s government in 2017 without winning the most seats. It secured 21 of the 60 assembly seats, while Congress emerged as the single largest party with 28. The BJP built a governing coalition by gaining support from four National People’s Party MLAs, four Naga People’s Front MLAs, one Lok Janshakti Party MLA and one independent legislator.

This coalition allowed the BJP to take office under N Biren Singh. The result showed that forming a government depended on post-election alliances, not simply on being the largest party. Support from several smaller groups gave the BJP a majority arrangement despite Congress having more seats.

The BJP strengthened its position in 2022. It won 32 seats and returned to power, while Congress’s tally dropped sharply to five. N Biren Singh again became chief minister. That electoral rise is why the present violence and internal divisions matter: the party is now trying to protect its position and seek a third term.

President’s Rule is a constitutional arrangement in India in which the Union government assumes responsibility for a state’s administration when the state government cannot function according to the Constitution. The state assembly may be suspended or dissolved, and elected ministers leave office. This is general constitutional background; the article only states that President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur.

In Manipur, N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister on February 9, 2025. His resignation came amid mounting internal discord, continuing violence and the threat of a no-confidence motion. With the existing government unable to provide stable political leadership, President’s Rule was imposed a week later.

The arrangement lasted until Yumnam Khemchand Singh took oath as chief minister on February 4, 2026. His government included deputy chief ministers from the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities. However, tensions continued within the new setup, showing that restoring an elected administration did not by itself end the conflict or political divisions.