Imphal: After days of uncertainty and speculation following N Biren Singh’s resignation as Chief Minister of Manipur on Sunday (February 9), President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on Thursday evening under Article 356 of the Constitution of India, as per a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356 effectively transfers all the functions of the state government to the Centre and the function of the state legislature to Parliament during the period when it is in force.
On receiving a report from the Governor of Manipur about the political situation in the state, the President of India is “satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution” and hence the proclamation of President’s Rule in the State.
Biren Singh tendered his resignation a day before the budget session of the 12th Manipur Assembly. A day prior to that, Biren Singh rushed to New Delhi and had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. On the one hand, the Congress party was all set to introduce a No-Confidence motion in the Budget session and on the other hand, the voice of dissidence within the BJP MLAs was getting louder and louder. Political commentators who have been watching the unfolding situation in the State closely were of the view that Biren Singh was made to resign to avoid a sticky situation for the party.
The BJP party tried its best to come up with a Chief Ministerial face from among the many claimants which included the Speaker of the House, Th Satyabrata: Ministers Biswajit, Khemchand, among others.
Sambit Patra, BJP national spokesperson and party in-charge of Manipur held several meetings with the BJP MLAs but was unable to come to any consensus for the Chief Minster. And inevitably, the only course open was that of President’s Rule yet again in Manipur, which has seen many in the past.
