N. Biren Singh Resigns as Manipur CM Ahead of No-Confidence Motion

Imphal, 10th February 2025: On June 30, 2023, N. Biren Singh headed to Raj Bhawan, intending to submit his resignation. His aides revealed that he felt he had “lost the trust of his people” after massive protests erupted over the killing of two Meitei men.

As news of his planned resignation spread, a crowd gathered around his convoy, forcing him to turn back. Outside his residence, a group of women tore up his resignation draft, preventing him from stepping down. The incident solidified his standing within the Meitei community while sidelining critics within his party.

However, that political resilience came to an end on February 9, 2025. Biren Singh, BJP North East Coordinator Sambit Patra, and several MLAs met Governor Ajay Bhalla at 5:30 PM, where Singh officially resigned. He has been asked to continue as caretaker Chief Minister for now, but his tenure as Manipur’s leader appears to be over.

What Led to His Resignation?
The Congress had planned a no-confidence motion against Singh on February 10. Intelligence reports suggested that nearly 20 BJP MLAs were prepared to support the motion, signalling a major internal revolt. Prominent critics, including Panchayati Raj Minister Y. Khemchand Singh and Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, had already met Union Minister Amit Shah, increasing pressure for leadership change in Imphal. Sources confirmed that the dissidents were firm in their demand—Singh had to step down.

Despite mounting opposition, Singh initially attempted to maintain control. He travelled to Delhi the previous week and dismissed rumours of being summoned by the central leadership, even making a publicized visit to Prayagraj for Mahakumbh Snan. On February 8, he posted, “May this sacred gathering strengthen our collective spirit and guide us towards a brighter future.”

Yet, within two days, the political landscape shifted dramatically. Governor Ajay Bhalla, who was in Delhi to vote, returned to Imphal just as Singh arrived in the capital. By Sunday morning, Singh met with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda. By evening, he had stepped down.

Pressure from Allies
For the past two years, Singh had resisted calls to resign despite mounting crises. Even when the Supreme Court intervened after a viral video showed Kuki women being paraded naked, Singh remained in office. However, his coalition began to fracture. In November 2024, Conrad Sangma’s NPP withdrew support, blaming Singh for failing to curb violence in the state.

In January 2025, the lone JDU MLA also announced a withdrawal of support, though the party’s national spokesperson later termed it a miscommunication, insisting that JDU remained aligned with the government. Yet, the discontent—both within BJP and among allies—was unmistakable, stretching from Imphal to Delhi. Despite surviving multiple political storms, Singh’s leadership was ultimately deemed untenable by BJP’s central leadership.

Role of Raj Bhawan
Singh’s downfall in 2025 was influenced by the presence of a seasoned administrator at Raj Bhawan. Ajay Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary, was appointed as Manipur’s Governor on December 24, 2024. Having firsthand experience of the Manipur crisis during his tenure at the Home Ministry, Bhalla quickly initiated administrative overhauls in the Hill districts, including key policy and bureaucratic reshuffles. His assertive approach signalled that Raj Bhawan was taking a more active role in governance.

Until now, the BJP leadership had refrained from removing Singh, largely due to his strong support base among the Meitei majority and his administrative experience. However, it became evident that he had irreparably alienated the Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities. With New Delhi prioritizing stability, a neutral administrator with central backing was seen as a more viable option.

As a compromise, the BJP has decided not to appoint any dissident leader as Singh’s immediate replacement.

What Comes Next?
Singh’s past resignation attempts have triggered protests and security concerns. While February 9 remained incident-free, authorities are on high alert for potential unrest in the coming days. For now, Governor Bhalla has nullified the no-confidence motion and cancelled the proposed assembly session.

Sources indicate that after the budget session, critical decisions regarding Singh’s successor and Manipur’s political future will unfold.