Why the Process of 44 MLAs 'Forming the Government' in Manipur Is Not Straightforward

New Delhi: After 105 days of President’s Rule in Manipur, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance has claimed the support of 44 out of 60 legislators of the state assembly.

It has expressed its intent to form a government in the state. But despite the numerical majority, the situation remains far from straightforward.

Thokchom Radheshyam, a BJP MLA and former minister, stated that “all 44 MLAs have agreed to form the government as per the wishes of the people,” but emphasised that the final decision rests with the party’s central leadership. Radheshyam, along with nine other MLAs, was reported to have met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to push for government formation.

However, neither the full list of 44 MLAs nor any formal letter of support has been made public. No MLA other than Radheshyam has spoken of their support to this group to reporters.

Sources in Imphal told The Wire that this move appears to be a political manoeuvre – one possibly intended to quell growing public resentment against Governor Bhalla, who was recently asked to apologise by civil society groups such as the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which represents the Meitei community.

Sources also told The Wire that it is the pressure of civil society organisations in Manipur that led to the move.

COCOMI has launched a civil disobedience campaign and called for a public boycott of Bhalla. Their action follows an incident in which security forces allegedly instructed a media team to hide the “Manipur State Transport” label on a government bus – an act COCOMI deems a direct insult to the state’s identity. The organisation has demanded a public apology and the resignation of top state officials, arguing that their refusal to address the issue reflects a deep disconnect from people’s sentiments. On May 27, the COCOMI met with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi on this.

Also read: Manipur: 'Ready to Form Government,' NDA MLAs Meet Governor, Claim Support of 44

MLAs speak

Paolienlal Haokip, a BJP MLA of the Kuki community who was not a part of the delegation, said that he did not believe that the governor has been granted much authority.

"The primary goal of the honourable governor, I’d assume is to resolve the political crisis in the state, as a representative of the centre. Unfortunately, I don’t see much authority granted to him," he said.

On being asked if he believed a government was indeed being formed, Haokip said that it is unlikely that Kuki-Zo people can be a part of it. "As far as government formation is concerned, those who can tread ground in the capital can always do it [Imphal, the Manipur capital, is in the Meitei-dominated valley where Kuki's are barred from travelling to], but Kuki-Zo people can’t be a part of it unless the political demands are addressed and peace restored. If the new government can support our political demands, we would be happy to join it in the interim period while the process of formation of a new Union Territory is finalised with the cooperation of the state government," Haokip said.

Manipur Congress president K. Meghachandra questioned the BJP’s central leadership when contacted by The Wire. “If the BJP truly has the numbers in the state and they claim they are merely awaiting a green signal from the central leadership, then why are Amit Shah and Narendra Modi continuing to ignore Manipur? They should immediately take steps to form the government," Meghachandra asked.

Meghachandra’s remarks echo a broader sentiment among the people of Manipur – many of whom have long demanded a visit from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.

The Wire also reached out to Thokchom Radheshyam to ask if 10 MLAs who met with governor Bhalla had submitted any formal letter to him but so far he has not responded.

The meeting with these MLAs was also tweeted by the Raj Bhawan social media handle.

A delegation of 10 MLAs called on Hon’ble Governor Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla to discuss the law & order and political situation in Manipur.

They emphasized the need to initiate a peace process, strengthen security arrangements, and urged the early 1/2 pic.twitter.com/qU0uBPMzkj

— RAJ BHAVAN MANIPUR (@RajBhavManipur) May 28, 2025

It is the Governor's duty to set due process in motion and revoke President's Rule if MLAs claim that they have a majority. The Supreme Court’s judgment in S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) affirmed that while the assembly may be suspended during President’s Rule, it is not dissolved, and if a majority is clearly established, it is constitutionally proper to restore the assembly and allow the formation of a government. This means that MLAs do not need “permission” to stake a claim, but their claim cannot proceed to actual government formation without central clearance through formal revocation of President’s Rule.

Bhalla's tenure

Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed as the Governor and state in-charge on December 24, 2024. Since then, he has toured several vulnerable and conflict-affected areas, from Moreh to Churachandpur, in an attempt to stabilise the situation through dialogue. Despite these visits, criticism against him has been continuous.

The state is as divided on ethnic lines as ever. When this reporter visited the state a month ago, the roundabout in front of the Governor’s residence had flags of a particular community – a mark of enduring division and the governor's perceived helplessness in building bridges.

The Wire has reported instances of non-compliance with Supreme Court orders, even during the period of President’s Rule.

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