Yumnam Khemchand Singh Elected Manipur BJP Legislature Leader

Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and two-time legislator from Manipur, was elected on Tuesday as the leader of the party's legislature wing, positioning him to become the state's next chief minister. The selection, made during a meeting in New Delhi with BJP's central leadership, paves the way for forming an elected government in the northeastern state, which has been under President's Rule for nearly a year amid ongoing ethnic tensions.

The decision follows weeks of internal consultations within the BJP, including separate discussions with the party's Meitei and Kuki lawmakers, as well as representatives from alliance partners such as the National People's Party and the Naga People's Front. Senior figures, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, suspended Assembly Speaker Satyabrata Singh, and Manipur BJP president A. Sharda Devi, joined Khemchand Singh in recent talks with the party's high command. National general secretary Tarun Chugh was appointed as the central observer to oversee the leadership election.

Manipur has been governed directly by the central government since February 13, 2025, when President's Rule was imposed shortly...