<p>Guwahati: Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a two-time MLA belonging to Meitei community, took oath as new Chief Minister of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/manipur">Manipur</a> on Wednesday evening, hours after nearly a year-long President's Rule was revoked in the strife-torn state. </p><p>Nemcha Kipgen, a woman Kuki MLA, took oath virtually from Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi as deputy CM while Losii Dikho, a Naga legislator, was administered the oath as another deputy CM. Konthoujam Govindas Singh and Khuraijam Loken Singh, two Meitei legislator, took oath as two other ministers. Dikho and Loken represents Naga People's Front and National People's Party, two NDA allies, respectively. </p><p>Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhawan at Imphal at a brief ceremony attended by BJP's central observer Tarun Chugh, the party's Northeast Coordinator, Sambit Patra, beside others.</p>.President's rule revoked in Manipur ahead of govt formation.<p>Khemchand, 62, a black belt in taekwondo, took oath as the CM a day after he was elected as the leader of legislature party of BJP in Manipur, in New Delhi.</p><p><strong>Ally NPP back:</strong></p><p>The ceremony also saw National People's Party (NPP), an ally of the NDA, get back to Manipur government after more than a year as Loken Singh was induced as a minister. The NPP, led by Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma had withdrawn support in November 2024, questioning N. Biren Singh's role in controlling the Meitei-Kuki conflict. Biren quit as CM in February following which President's Rule was promulgated. Manipur has remained on the boil due to the conflict since May 2023.</p>.NDA legislature party leader Y Khemchand Singh stakes claim to form government in Manipur.<p><strong>Inclusive government:</strong></p><p>According to BJP leaders in Manipur, by inducting the Kuki, Naga and Meitei legislators belonging to BJP, NPP and NPF, the party is trying bridge the ethnic divide as well as that with its allies. "With representiatives from the three major communities and the allies, it will be now easier for the government to reach out to the communities for finding a solution to the conflict. The immediate priority will be resettlement of the displaced persons," a leader said.</p><p>The effort, however, met with setback as Kuki-Zo organisations opposed to the Kuki MLA's decision to join the government. They issued a warning to the Kuki MLAs too.</p><p>Hours before taking oath, Khemchand posted on social media,"....I am confident that, with the formation of the new Council of Ministers, peace and development will serve as the guiding princples of the new government. The political journey towards the vision of #ViksitBharatViksit and Viksit Manipur is not without challenges, but our priorities will remain firmly aligned with achieving these ambitious goals. I extend my sincere gratitude to all for the trust, responsibility, and honour bestowed upon me."</p><p>Congratulating Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, "I'm confident they will work diligently towards furthering development and prosperity for my sisters and brothers of Manipur."</p>
<p>Guwahati: Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a two-time MLA belonging to Meitei community, took oath as new Chief Minister of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/manipur">Manipur</a> on Wednesday evening, hours after nearly a year-long President's Rule was revoked in the strife-torn state. </p><p>Nemcha Kipgen, a woman Kuki MLA, took oath virtually from Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi as deputy CM while Losii Dikho, a Naga legislator, was administered the oath as another deputy CM. Konthoujam Govindas Singh and Khuraijam Loken Singh, two Meitei legislator, took oath as two other ministers. Dikho and Loken represents Naga People's Front and National People's Party, two NDA allies, respectively. </p><p>Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhawan at Imphal at a brief ceremony attended by BJP's central observer Tarun Chugh, the party's Northeast Coordinator, Sambit Patra, beside others.</p>.President's rule revoked in Manipur ahead of govt formation.<p>Khemchand, 62, a black belt in taekwondo, took oath as the CM a day after he was elected as the leader of legislature party of BJP in Manipur, in New Delhi.</p><p><strong>Ally NPP back:</strong></p><p>The ceremony also saw National People's Party (NPP), an ally of the NDA, get back to Manipur government after more than a year as Loken Singh was induced as a minister. The NPP, led by Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma had withdrawn support in November 2024, questioning N. Biren Singh's role in controlling the Meitei-Kuki conflict. Biren quit as CM in February following which President's Rule was promulgated. Manipur has remained on the boil due to the conflict since May 2023.</p>.NDA legislature party leader Y Khemchand Singh stakes claim to form government in Manipur.<p><strong>Inclusive government:</strong></p><p>According to BJP leaders in Manipur, by inducting the Kuki, Naga and Meitei legislators belonging to BJP, NPP and NPF, the party is trying bridge the ethnic divide as well as that with its allies. "With representiatives from the three major communities and the allies, it will be now easier for the government to reach out to the communities for finding a solution to the conflict. The immediate priority will be resettlement of the displaced persons," a leader said.</p><p>The effort, however, met with setback as Kuki-Zo organisations opposed to the Kuki MLA's decision to join the government. They issued a warning to the Kuki MLAs too.</p><p>Hours before taking oath, Khemchand posted on social media,"....I am confident that, with the formation of the new Council of Ministers, peace and development will serve as the guiding princples of the new government. The political journey towards the vision of #ViksitBharatViksit and Viksit Manipur is not without challenges, but our priorities will remain firmly aligned with achieving these ambitious goals. I extend my sincere gratitude to all for the trust, responsibility, and honour bestowed upon me."</p><p>Congratulating Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, "I'm confident they will work diligently towards furthering development and prosperity for my sisters and brothers of Manipur."</p>