BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand has been elected as the NDA legislature party leader in Manipur, paving the way for his appointment as the new chief minister. His election follows a considerable amount of speculation and highlights his commitment to fostering empathy, compassion, and harmony among the diverse communities within the state. Khemchand has previously been elected to the Manipur assembly in 2017 and 2022 from the Singjamei assembly constituency.
In a statement posted on social media, he expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party Nitin Nabin, and fellow BJP Manipur MLAs for their trust and support in electing him as the party leader. Khemchand accepted this responsibility with humility and a strong commitment to serve, stating his intention to work sincerely in realizing the visions of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Manipur.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring peace, dignity, and inclusive development in the state, while maintaining a focus on unity across its diverse communities. The BJP legislature party in Manipur officially elected Khemchand during a meeting that saw the participation of 35 of the 37 BJP MLAs and key party officials, including Tarun Chugh and Sambit Patra. Following this, a second meeting at Manipur Bhavan included representatives from various NDA constituents, leading to the endorsement of Khemchand as the leader and Nemcha Kipgen from the Kuki community as the deputy leader of the NDA legislature party. Khemchand received congratulations from fellow MLA D Gangmei, who expressed confidence in his capabilities to lead effectively, leveraging his experience and dedication for the benefit of both the party and the public.