Guwahati: After days of suspense over who would be appointed as chief minister in Manipur following the assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday announced that N. Biren Singh would retain the position for a second term.
The decision was made by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju — the party’s appointed observer and co-observer for Manipur, respectively — following their discussions with the state’s newly elected MLAs.
At a press conference in Imphal, Sitharaman said, “The newly elected MLAs have unanimously chosen Biren Singh, the sitting CM and caretaker CM, as leader of the legislative party of the BJP, Manipur Pradesh.”
Congratulations to @NBirenSingh ji for being re-appointed as legislature party leader of the newly elected BJP Legislators. He will continue as the Chief Minister of Manipur for a second term. @BJPManipur @AShardaDevi @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/2DMnx3Tr6L
— Mmhonlumo Kikon (@MmhonlumoKikon) March 20, 2022
The assembly elections, which concluded this month, saw the BJP bag 32 seats in a house of 60.
Several leaders have tweeted congratulating Biren over his reappointment.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, the party in-charge for Manipur, in a tweet said, “I congratulate and extend my best wishes to Shri @NBirenSingh ji on being elected as the leader of the Legislative Party for @BJP4Manipur.”
I congratulate and extend my best wishes to Shri @NBirenSingh ji on being elected as the leader of the Legislative Party for @BJP4Manipur. pic.twitter.com/Ks42edWKOW
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) March 20, 2022
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “Under your able leadership, I am sure Manipur will continue on the path of accelerated growth & development.”
Heartiest congratulations Shri @NBirenSingh ji on getting elected as Chief Minister of Manipur once again.
Under your able leadership, I am sure Manipur will continue on the path of accelerated growth & development.
My best wishes for all your future endeavours.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 20, 2022
BJP national general secretary C.T. Ravi and party national spokesperson Sambit Patra were also among those who tweeted their congratulations.
Heartiest Congratulations to Shri @NBirenSingh on being elected as the Leader of the @BJPManipur Legislative Party.
As chief minister of Manipur for the second time, I am sure that Shri Biren Singh will continue to work for the progress of the State under PM Shri @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/Ofe7NSirtf
— C T Ravi 🇮🇳 ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (@CTRavi_BJP) March 20, 2022
Hearty Congratulations and best wishes to Shri @NBirenSingh ji, on being elected as the leader of the Legislative party for @BJP4Manipur. pic.twitter.com/2Sk2IojWuz
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) March 20, 2022
Who is N. Biren Singh?
A former footballer, Border Security Force (BSF) jawan and journalist, Biren Singh was first elected to the Manipur Assembly in 2002 on a Democratic Revolutionary Peoples Party ticket from the Heingang constituency. A year later, he joined the Congress and was appointed minister of state for vigilance.
Once a close aide of former Manipur CM (2002-2017) and Congressman Okram Ibobi Singh, Biren Singh eventually left the Congress for the BJP in 2016 following differences with Ibobi.
In 2017, as the BJP clinched power in the state after stitching together an alliance with the Naga People’s Front, National People’s Party (NPP) and Lok Janshakti Party, Biren was appointed CM.
His term as chief minister saw several controversies, including sedition cases being filed against journalists in the state. The government also witnessed trouble between Biren and the BJP’s Thongam Biswajit Singh, a former cabinet minister, and the NPP’s Joykumar Singh, the former deputy CM, after the latter two were stripped of their portfolios.
(Edited by Rohan Manoj)
Also read: ‘Was lone warrior till 2017’, says ex-minister Thongam Biswajit as BJP’s Manipur CM race heats up