Manipur NDA Legislators Travel to Delhi Ahead of President's Rule Anniversary
With less than two weeks remaining until Manipur completes one full year under President's Rule, NDA MLAs from the state have made their way to the national capital. The legislators, who arrived in Delhi on Sunday, indicated that they have been summoned for a meeting with central leaders scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Uncertain Agenda but High Expectations
The MLAs, representing various political formations including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Naga People's Front, National People's Party, Janata Dal (United), and independent members, confirmed their travel plans but expressed uncertainty about the meeting's specific agenda. "We have not been informed who will be there from the Centre's side, or what the agenda is," revealed one MLA who reached Delhi on Sunday.
Despite this lack of clarity, many legislators believe the gathering will likely involve discussions about the potential formation of a popular government in Manipur. President's Rule was initially imposed in the northeastern state on February 13, 2024, and has remained continuously in effect since that date.
Key Figures Make the Journey
Most NDA MLAs from both the valley regions and Naga communities departed from Imphal on Sunday, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. BJP state president A. Sharda Devi also joined the delegation traveling to Delhi. The legislators have been instructed to be present in the capital by 2 pm on Monday, though the specific participants from the central government side remain undisclosed.
Community Representation and Prerequisites
A Kuki-Zo MLA suggested that BJP legislators from their community would likely participate in any discussions about government formation. This development follows significant groundwork by the BJP leadership, which held a crucial meeting with party MLAs from Manipur on December 14. That gathering brought together both Kuki and Meitei legislators under one roof, aiming to build engagement between representatives from both communities—a move considered essential for any credible progress toward establishing an elected government.
The path to government formation remains complex, particularly regarding Kuki-Zo participation. On January 13, Kuki-Zo insurgent groups operating under a Suspension of Operations agreement, along with MLAs from the community, outlined specific prerequisites for their involvement in any new popular government. Their primary demand involves a written "political commitment" from both state and central governments regarding the creation of a separate Union Territory for Kuki-Zo-majority areas within Manipur.
Sustained Pressure for Democratic Restoration
For months, Manipur's Meitei and Naga NDA legislators have maintained consistent pressure to replace President's Rule with an elected government. Meanwhile, uncertainty has persisted about whether Kuki-Zo MLAs would join any new popular state government. The approaching one-year anniversary of central rule has intensified these discussions and heightened expectations for political resolution.
The Delhi meeting represents a significant development in Manipur's political landscape, coming at a critical juncture as the state approaches twelve months without an elected administration. While the exact outcomes remain uncertain, the gathering of NDA legislators in the national capital signals serious engagement with the question of restoring democratic governance in the northeastern state.
