Imphal: Senior BJP leader and former Minister and Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur on Tuesday, marking the end of President’s Rule in the state. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Imphal.
Khemchand assumed office along with four members of his Council of Ministers, including two Deputy Chief Ministers. BJP MLA and former minister Nemcha Kipgen, who hails from the Kuki community, and Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislator L Dikho were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.
BJP’s Govindas Konthoujam, MLA from the Bishnupur Assembly constituency, and K Loken Singh of the National People’s Party (NPP) from Wangoi Assembly constituency were inducted as cabinet ministers. Sources indicated that Govindas Konthoujam is set to take charge of the key Home Ministry portfolio.
In a notable first, Nemcha Kipgen took her oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi, reflecting the use of digital platforms in the swearing-in process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Yumnam Khemchand Singh on assuming office. “Congratulations to Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur,” the Prime Minister said in a message.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra, senior leaders from the BJP, NPP and NPF, along with top civil and military officials of the state.
The formation of the new government comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked President’s Rule in Manipur with immediate effect. The state had been under President’s Rule since February 2025.
Meanwhile, several Kuki-Zo organisations have criticised the formation of the new government, particularly opposing the participation of Kuki-Zo legislators in the new political arrangement. With agency inputs
