Forty-four MLAs in Manipur expressed willingness to form a new government, BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said on Wednesday after meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Singh met Governor Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in the morning along with nine other MLAs.

The group included eight BJP legislators, one from the NPP, and one Independent. They met the Governor and claimed they were ready to form a government in Manipur.

The BJP MLA said the Governor heard their concerns and assured them that he would take steps in the interest of the people.

Radheshyam Singh stated, “However, to inform that we are ready is similar to staking a claim to form a government. Speaker Satyabrata has individually and jointly met the 44 MLAs. There is no one who opposes the formation of a new government.”

He added, “People are facing too much hardship. In the previous term, two years were lost due to COVID, and in this term, another two years have been lost due to the conflict.”

Manipur has remained under President's Rule since February after BJP leader N Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister, following criticism over his handling of the ethnic clashes that began in May 2023.

The Manipur Assembly has 60 seats. One seat remains vacant due to a legislator’s death, bringing the total to 59 MLAs. In the BJP-led coalition, there are 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipuri Muslim MLAs, and nine Naga legislators, adding up to 44.

The Congress has five MLAs, and all of them are Meiteis.

The remaining 10 MLAs are Kukis. Seven of them won on BJP tickets, two are from the Kuki People's Alliance, and one is an Independent.

This political shift came during large-scale protests in the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley. Security forces had covered the state’s name on a government bus windshield, triggering outrage.

Meitei groups demanded an apology from the Governor for the incident that occurred in Gwaltabi on May 20. They also asked for the resignations of the Chief Secretary, the DGP, and the Security Advisor.

In recent days, several organisations held demonstrations, calling the incident an “attack on Manipur identity.” Protesters tried to march to the Raj Bhavan, but security forces stopped them.

Since May 2023, ethnic violence has killed over 250 people. Meitei groups have insisted that the state’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable in any peace talks. In contrast, Kuki-Zo groups have demanded a separate administration for the hill districts they inhabit as the only solution to the crisis.

The Gwaltabi incident reignited tensions. This happened after things had calmed slightly in recent months due to several peace initiatives from the Centre.