At a time of heightened efforts by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to restore an elected government in Manipur, BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip has publicly opposed this initiative, asserting that the Kuki-Zo MLAs will not participate in any elections until significant conditions are met. He emphasized that without justice for the alleged ethnic cleansing of the Kuki people and without a written commitment to a political settlement, representatives from the Kuki Zo community cannot support the election of a Legislative Party Leader in the state.
This statement follows the BJP Parliamentary Board’s recent appointment of Tarun Chugh as the central observer for the Legislative Party leader election in Manipur, highlighting the internal party dynamics during this critical period. Since February 13, 2025, when President’s Rule was imposed following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the state Assembly has been under suspended animation, complicating the political landscape.
In response to the current situation, the BJP’s central leadership has convened a meeting in New Delhi, urging all legislators from Manipur and their allies to attend. A crucial meeting of BJP MLAs is set for Tuesday afternoon at the party’s headquarters, following a preliminary gathering with alliance partners, including the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
Haokip, a vocal critic of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh and a prominent advocate for Kuki interests, argues that the resolution to the ongoing crisis in Manipur lies in establishing a Union Territory with legislative powers specifically for the Kuki tribes. He warns that the government’s stagnation in addressing their demands is exacerbating tensions on the ground. Among the ten Kuki and Zomi MLAs seeking this administrative separation, seven are affiliated with the ruling BJP, which controls 37 of the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly. The NPP and NPF, both part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, currently hold six and five seats, respectively.