Yumnam Khemchand Set to Take Oath as Manipur Chief Minister

Yumnam Khemchand Set to Take Oath as Manipur Chief Minister

Why in News? 

Yumnam Khemchand Singh is set to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Manipur on 4th February 2026 after President’s Rule was revoked in the state. He was elected leader of the BJP-led NDA legislature party and will lead a new government at Lok Bhavan in Imphal.

Who is Yumnam Khemchand Singh?

• Yumnam Khemchand Singh (born 1 March 1963) is a senior Indian politician from Manipur belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 
• He hails from the Singjamei area in Imphal West district and has been a prominent figure in state politics for nearly a decade. His ascent reflects both electoral success and organisational strength.
• Khemchand Singh is a two-time Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (MLA), having been elected from the Singjamei constituency in 2017 and 2022 as a BJP candidate. 
• He has consistently won in this urban stronghold, demonstrating his strong local support base among voters.
• In his first term (2017–2022), Khemchand Singh was elected Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. As Speaker, he presided over the House during a period of political sensitivity.
• After the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, he was inducted into the Cabinet led by then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. In this role, he held several key portfolios including Municipal Administration and Housing Development (MAHUD), Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Education. 
• Khemchand Singh is known for his long-standing involvement in Taekwondo. He is recognized as the first Indian to receive the 5th-Dan Black Belt from the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation, Seoul.

Restoration of Elected Government in Manipur

• Revocation of President’s Rule: The sudden shift to install Yumnam Khemchand Singh as Chief Minister stems from the revocation of President’s Rule in Manipur on 4 February 2026 by President Droupadi Murmu under Clause (2) of Article 356 of the Constitution. This decision restored the state’s governance from central control back to an elected government after nearly one year of direct rule by New Delhi.
• Background of President’s Rule Imposition: President’s Rule was initially imposed on 13 February 2025 following the resignation of then-Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid continuing ethnic unrest between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The violence, which began in May 2023, resulted in over 200 deaths, widespread displacement and severe disruption of public order, and prompted the Centre to assume control of the state’s administration.
• Political Vacuum and Assembly Suspension: With the Manipur Legislative Assembly placed under suspended animation, governance was directly overseen by the Governor and the Union Government. The suspension continued even as the assembly’s term runs until 2027, leaving political representation dormant.
• Strategic Timing Before Assembly Session: The move to end President’s Rule and form a government came just before key legislative and budget sessions, making it strategically important for the BJP to reassert political control through elected representatives.

Current Political Scenario in Manipur

• • The Manipur Legislative Assembly has 60 seats with a majority mark of 31. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party with 32 seats, significantly ahead of other parties. 
  • The Indian National Congress fell to just 5 seats, while National People’s Party (NPP) won 7, Naga People’s Front (NPF) 5, Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] 6, Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) 2, and Independents won 3. 

• Originally winning 32 seats in 2022, the BJP’s legislative strength in Manipur increased to 37 when five out of six elected JD(U) MLAs defected to the BJP, boosting its numbers without fresh elections. One MLA seat became vacant recently due to the death of a sitting member, bringing the effective strength to 59 MLAs.

Governance Challenges Before the New Government in Manipur

• Restoring Peace After Prolonged Ethnic Conflict: One of the most critical challenges facing the new government is restoring sustainable peace following violent ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that began in May 2023 and deep mistrust between communities. This conflict has not only destabilised society but also weakened institutional credibility.
• Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): The state must ensure safe and dignified resettlement of IDPs scattered across relief camps, alongside transparent implementation of the Rs 1,523 crore resettlement and rehabilitation package announced in the 2025–26 budget. Long-term displacement has disrupted livelihoods, education, and social cohesion.
• Law & Order and Demobilisation of Armed Actors: Re-establishing law and order remains daunting due to the proliferation of looted weapons, community militias, and criminal networks. Efforts to disarm civilians and militia groups such as village volunteers or proscribed outfits are essential to reduce violence and ensure public safety.
• Economic Revival and Livelihood Restoration: The conflict has significantly undermined economic activity, with local businesses shut, tourism diminished, and agricultural disruption across various districts. Rehabilitating the economy through employment generation, financial support for small enterprises, and infrastructure rebuilding is fundamental to achieving stability.