BJP’s Sambit Patra in Manipur, Meets MLAs Amid Speculation of Govt Formation

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 5th May: Amid growing calls for the restoration of an elected government in Manipur, the BJP’s northeast in-charge and national spokesperson Sambit Patra arrived in the violence-hit state and held a flurry of meetings on Monday, sparking speculation about fresh moves toward government formation.

Sources said Patra has invited BJP MLAs for a meeting at the City hotel, though neither he nor any other BJP leader has made an official statement on the matter. Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of then Chief Minister N Biren Singh, with the 60-member Assembly placed under suspended animation.

The move comes shortly after 21 BJP MLAs from the state reportedly wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the reinstatement of a popular government to address the prolonged political vacuum amid ongoing ethnic unrest.

Patra began his visit with a stop in Churachandpur, where he met MLA Vungzagin Valte, who survived a brutal mob attack in May 2023. The wheelchair-bound legislator from Thanlon was seen warmly shaking hands with Patra during the visit. Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute and representatives from student organisations, including the Zomi Students Federation, were also present.

Patra later held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) and the Zomi Council (ZC), signalling outreach efforts to tribal leadership.

He then met former Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his residence in Luwangsangbam and concluded his political engagements with a visit to the residence of Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata.

Manipur has been reeling from ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023. Over 260 people have lost their lives and thousands remain displaced due to the unrest.

The BJP leadership’s fresh engagement in the state has raised hopes of a breakthrough, but with no formal word yet, the political future of Manipur remains uncertain.