Manipur ethnic conflict leaves BJP in tatters; 19 MLAs skip NDA meet

Tensions within BJP's Manipur unit grew after 19 of 37 MLAs skipped an NDA meeting, where a resolution was passed against "Kuki militants" linked to the killing of six Meitei inmates. The party is divided over CM Biren Singh's handling of the conflict.

There are rumors that 11 NDA members, including ministers, had received notices from the CM's secretariat for skipping the meeting.

Biren Singh promised in a video message to "take every necessary measure to safeguard people, regardless of their community."

Letters were issued on Nov 17 to the BJP and its allies requesting a conference to discuss an appropriate reaction to the latest cycle of violence, only hours after Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma's NPP withdrew support from the NDA government, blaming the CM's failure to settle the crisis.

In the 60-member assembly, the NDA has 53 members. Seven MLAs from the NPP, five from the Naga People's Front (NPF), one from the JD(U), and three Independents—one of whom is a Kuki—are part of the coalition.

Kukis make up seven of the BJP's 37 legislators, none of whom attended the meeting. Even though the NPP no longer backs the Biren Singh government, it was surprising that four of its seven legislators participated in the discussion.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh, the BJP's rural development minister, was also absent. Three party MLAs and one NPF member informed beforehand that they would be unable to attend due to health reasons.

The opposition bench has five Congress MPs and two Kuki People's Alliance members.

“Chaired a crucial meeting with ruling MLAs today, where we strongly condemned the recent killing of innocents in Jiribam. Rest assured, justice will be ensured, and firm action will be taken up against the perpetrators. Key decisions on AFSPA and strengthening law & order were also taken to ensure peace and stability in the state,” Biren Singh posted on X.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the BJP's split house in Manipur.

“The writing on the wall is clear. But is the grand sutradhar of Manipur—the Union home minister—to whom the PM has abdicated and outsourced all responsibility for the state, reading it?” He wrote on X.

Along with PCC leader K. Meghachandra Singh, he addressed a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi and called on Shah and CM Biren Singh to step down for failing to prevent Manipur from "burning."

Meanwhile, the Manipur government temporarily lifted the broadband blackout in the valley districts on Nov 19, citing challenges experienced by citizens, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and other organizations. Mobile internet data remains suspended.

The authorities also said that the curfew in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Kakching districts will be lifted from 5 am to 10 am on Nov 20 to allow residents to buy necessities. During that time, restrictions on gatherings and protests would continue to apply.