BJP appoints central observer for election of Manipur legislature party leader as President's rule to expire next week

Manipur has been under the President's rule since February 13, 2025, following months of ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities.

New Delhi: Taking a concrete step towards the formation of a government in strife-torn Manipur, the BJP on Monday announced general secretary Tarun Chugh as the observer to the state, even as the imposition of the President’s Rule will soon clock a year.

“The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Tarun Chugh, National General Secretary, as Central Observer for the election of the Legislature Party Leader in Manipur,” a notification by national general secretary Arun Singh read.

The development comes as several MLAs of the state reached Delhi to hold discussions on government formation. Sources said that the leadership is keen on a chief minister and two deputy CMs. A Meitei face is expected to be named CM, and a Naga and a Kuki MLA will be named his or her deputies.

President’s Rule was imposed in the state, where ethnic violence had broken out in 2023, on February 13, 2025. The BJP is keen to form a government before a year closes in, so that it does not have to seek an extension.

Since December last year, legislators of the state have been making visits to the capital to hold discussions. On January 24, some of the state’s legislators were in Delhi with former CM Biren Singh and state president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi. A week prior to that, Biren Singh had a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah.