BJP May Name New Manipur Unit President After Formation of Popular Government

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to appoint a new president for its Manipur Pradesh unit in the coming days as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s organisational structure following the formation of a popular government in the state.

Party sources indicated that the move has gained momentum after Yumnam Khemchand Singh assumed office as Chief Minister and the recent election of Nitin Nabin as the BJP’s national president. The leadership change at the state level had reportedly been put on hold due to the prolonged ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, and the absence of an elected government.

According to insiders, BJP central leaders preferred to wait for a relative stabilisation of the situation and the restoration of an elected dispensation before initiating organisational restructuring in Manipur. With the new government now in place, deliberations on appointing a successor to Adhikarimayum Sharda, who has served as the BJP Manipur Pradesh president since June 26, 2021, have intensified.

While the party has not made any official announcement, sources said the central leadership is keen to choose a leader capable of revitalising the organisation and leading the party into the 2027 Manipur Assembly elections.

Speculation is rife within party circles regarding potential candidates. Among non-MLA leaders, names such as BJP general secretary L. Deven Singh and former general secretary Samurailatpam Premananda Sharma are being discussed, given their long association with the party. Among elected representatives, MLAs Sapam Ranjan Singh and Th. Basantakumar are also being seen as possible contenders.

Sources further revealed that cabinet expansion, though anticipated, has emerged as a complex task despite the formation of the government. The expansion is expected to be carried out between February 12 and 15, under the supervision of BJP central leaders, with portfolio allocation to be handled carefully.

Meanwhile, lobbying for the post of state BJP president has reportedly begun, with several leaders engaging with the party’s central leadership to stake their claims.

The political churn in Manipur has intensified further following the All India Congress Committee’s appointment of former Chief Minister and current CLP leader Okram Ibobi Singh as president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee.

Although BJP state unit presidents are typically elected ahead of the appointment of a national president, Manipur remained an exception due to the prolonged crisis. With the situation showing signs of stabilisation, the party is now expected to proceed with the long-pending leadership transition.