Will Sambit Patra’s Visit Pave the Way for a New Government and End President’s Rule in Manipur?

Imphal, May 5: In a significant political development, Dr. Sambit Patra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s National Spokesperson and North East in-charge, arrived in Manipur today and held a series of high-level meetings with key political figures across the state. His visit has ignited speculation about an impending shift in the political landscape of Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025.

After landing at Imphal Airport, Patra immediately flew to Churachandpur district by helicopter, where he met with two Kuki MLAs, including BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte of Thanlon. Valte had previously survived a brutal mob attack in Imphal on May 4, 2023, during the onset of the ethnic conflict in the state. The meeting is seen as a gesture of solidarity and strategic outreach to the Kuki leadership in the troubled hill districts.

Following his return from Churachandpur, Patra convened a closed-door meeting with Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh at his residence in Bhramapur Bheigyabati Leikai, Imphal East. Sources confirmed the presence of Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hasan and Keirao Kendra MLA Lourembam Rameshwar during the discussions. While the meeting’s agenda remains confidential, it has triggered intense speculation about possible internal restructuring within the BJP’s state unit and a potential change in leadership.

In another key development, Patra also visited the residence of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at Luwangsangbam. Singh had resigned in February this year amid mounting pressure from within the party and escalating ethnic violence. His resignation led to the imposition of President’s Rule, and since then, governance in the state has remained in limbo.

The backdrop to Patra’s visit is the growing pressure from 21 BJP MLAs, who have submitted an appeal to the party’s central leadership in New Delhi, demanding the formation of a new BJP-led government under fresh leadership. These MLAs argue that a political vacuum amid prolonged instability is detrimental to Manipur’s recovery.

However, BJP leaders continue to walk a tightrope. During a separate interaction, MLA Shyamkumar, after meeting Patra at a hotel in Imphal, stated unequivocally that the restoration of peace is a prerequisite for the return of a popular government in the state. “We must prioritize normalcy before discussing leadership or government formation,” he remarked.

Echoing similar sentiments, Awangboi Newmai, president of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in Manipur, reiterated his party’s support for democratic governance but emphasized that stability and peace must come first. After his meeting with Patra, he stated, “NPF believes in democracy, and we are in favor of a popular government, but the ground situation needs careful handling.”

Meanwhile, MLAs Sapam Kunjakeshor and Khongbantabam Ibomcha have also clarified that their recent meetings with Sambit Patra were not centered on power-sharing or government formation. Instead, the discussions focused on measures to restore law and order in a state still reeling from ethnic violence that began in May 2023.

Patra’s whirlwind visit, characterized by a blend of public engagements and confidential deliberations, signals the BJP’s intensified efforts to recalibrate its strategy in Manipur. While no formal announcements have been made, the flurry of political activity suggests that key decisions regarding Manipur’s governance may be on the horizon.

As uncertainty continues to grip the northeastern state, all eyes remain on the BJP central leadership and its next move—whether it will heed the state unit’s call for leadership change or wait for further stabilization.