Shillong, Feb 4 (NNN): Manipur BJP leader Yumnam Khmechand Singh took oath as the new chief minister on Wednesday. President’s Rule in the state, which was in place since 2025, was revoked earlier in the day.
While Khemchand is from the Meitei community, his two deputies, Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho, are from the Kuki and Naga tribes, respectively.
Khemchand is considered a non-polarising politician in the state and is seen as a safe choice in this time of turmoil. He is expected to bring all communities and organisations together to solve the ongoing ethnic problem.
Congratulating the chief minister, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma wrote on social media, “Best wishes to Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh on taking oath as the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur. Congratulations to Smt. Nemcha Kipgen and Shri Losii Dikho on taking oath as the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Ministers. NPP is elated to have its leader Shri Khuraijam Loken Singh as a Cabinet Minister of the state. My warm wishes to Shri Khemchand and his Cabinet as they lead the State and its people. May this new chapter bring renewed peace and strengthen the hopes of the people of Manipur.”
Kipgen created history by becoming the first woman deputy chief minister of the state. Dikho is from the Naga People’s Front.
Earlier in the day, Khemchand Singh, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, another BJP leader Sambit Patra along with other Manipur MLAs came back to Imphal from Delhi by a chartered flight. Upon their arrival, they met the Governor and staked a claim to form a government.
Interestingly, two Kuki-Zo MLAs – LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate, both from Churachandpur district also came to Imphal from Delhi by the same chartered flight. Contrary to the speculation that they would also be sworn in on Wednesday, the two Kuki-Zo MLAs were nowhere to be seen during the swearing-in ceremony. Another interesting case was that Kipgen was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister from Manipur Bhavan in Delhi through a video conferencing mode.
Sources said the rest of the cabinet ministers are likely to be sworn in in a day or two. Hectic parleys and lobbies are reportedly going on among the MLAs.
Meanwhile, the return of a popular government in the ethnically violent torn state after a year’s gap signals so many things. Time will only tell whether the new development will ease the prevailing situation in the state or not. Khemchand had held the post of Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in his first tenure and was also a minister of Rural Development.
