BJP yet to name Manipur CM after N Biren Singh's resignation, President's Rule loom large over violence-hit state

BJP leaders made renewed efforts to arrive at a consensus on Wednesday.

Article 174(1) of the Constitution says that state assemblies need to be convened no later than six months after their last sitting.

In the case of Manipur, the last sitting was on August 12, 2024, and the deadline for convening the Assembly was Wednesday.

Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla earlier called off the Budget session, scheduled to begin on Monday, following the chief minister's resignation the day before.

The BJP's northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra, has been holding discussions in Imphal with MLAs from the party, but NDTV quoting sources reported that despite initial signs of a breakthrough on Tuesday, no decision has been arrived at yet.

Patra and some other BJP leaders met Ajay Bhalla back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to reports, the BJP has indicated that they had informed the governor that they were yet to zero in on Singh's replacement.

All eyes are now on Governor Bhalla, who will decide whether to place the Assembly in suspended animation and order the President's Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution.

As per reports, both the governor's office and the Centre are taking legal options to avoid a constitutional crisis in Manipur.

The final call on the next chief minister could be taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to India from the United States.

N Biren Singh on Sunday submitted his resignation to Governor A K Bhalla amid recent violence in the north-eastern state.