Explained: Will Biren Singh-led BJP govt in Manipur collapse as NPP withdraws support?

In a significant political development, the National People’s Party (NPP), led by Conrad Sangma, has announced its decision to withdraw support from the BJP-led government in Manipur over deteriorating law and order situation. The NPP holds seven seats in the 60-member legislative assembly, but the move is unlikely to destabilize the government, as the BJP maintains a clear majority with 32 seats.

Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) which has 2 seats withdrew its support to Biren Singh government in August 2023.

Despite the withdrawal of these nine MLAs, the BJP remains in a strong position in Manipur with its 32 seats, ensuring it retains a simple majority in the assembly.

The BJP’s allies, including JD(U) with six seats, and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) with five seats, continue to support the government, alongside three independent MLAs. This solidifies the BJP's control, even as cracks appear within the coalition.

The decision by the KPA and the NPP to part ways highlights growing tensions within the ruling alliance, although it does not immediately impact the BJP’s ability to govern.

Seat distribution in Manipur Assembly: BJP holds majority

Here is the current seat distribution among the political parties in the state:

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 32 seats

Naga People’s Front (NPF): 5 seats

National People’s Party (NPP): 7 seats

Janata Dal (United) [JDU]: 6 seats

Indian National Congress (INC): 5 seats

Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA): 2 seats

Independents (IND): 3 seats

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Manipur violence escalates: Protesters attack MLAs' residences

Manipur remains in turmoil as ethnic tensions between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo groups from the adjoining hills continue to escalate. The state has seen more than 200 deaths and widespread arson since May last year, with property damages running into several crore rupees.

Fresh violence erupted on Saturday night, despite the imposition of an indefinite curfew following protests triggered by the killings of three women and children by militants in Jiribam district. In retaliation, angry mobs attacked the homes of three state ministers and six MLAs. The residences of Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Govindas Konthoujam, BJP MLA Y Radheshyam, BJP MLA Paonam Brojen, and Congress MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar were torched by the protesters.

By Sunday morning, a tense calm prevailed across the five districts of the Imphal Valley, where the curfew was enforced and internet services suspended.

Police arrested 23 individuals on Sunday for ransacking and setting fire to lawmakers' and ministers' residences, while hundreds defied the curfew to protest the recent killings. The violence, marking the second day of unrest, has created a standoff in Imphal, the state capital.

Further fueling tensions, the body of a woman, believed to be part of a missing Meitei family, was found in a river on Sunday, while three other bodies, including two children, were recovered on Friday. Last week, a 31-year-old woman from the Kuki community was burned alive, an act that has sparked outrage. Kuki groups have accused Meitei militants of being behind the incident, deepening the divisions in the state.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation in Manipur on Sunday. Upon returning to Delhi after cancelling his election rallies in Maharashtra, Shah directed top security officials to take urgent steps to restore peace in the violence-hit Northeastern state.