Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) Removes Manipur Unit Chief, Says Support To BJP Will Continue

Last Updated:January 22, 2025, 18:20 IST

In an official letter issued by the party’s unit president in Manipur, Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, JD(U) announced that it no longer supports the BJP in Manipur

Shortly after the Manipur unit of the Janata Dal (United) withdrew its support from the N Biren Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Manipur, the party removed the Manipur unit president from his post for not consulting the central leadership before making the decision to break ties with the BJP in the state.

JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad called the news of the party’s decision to sever ties with the BJP in Manipur “misleading and baseless”.

He further clarified that Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, the JD(U) unit president in Manipur, had written the letter independently and not in consultation with the central leadership.

“This is misleading and baseless. The party has taken cognizance of it and the party’s Manipur unit president has been relieved from his post… The Manipur unit did not communicate with the central leadership, they were not taken into confidence. He (Manipur JDU chief) himself wrote the letter, Prasad told news agency ANI.

The JD(U) national spokesperson reiterated the party’s position, stating that JD(U) continues to stand with its NDA partner, the BJP, both at the Centre and in Manipur.

“We are with the NDA and the state unit will continue to serve the people of Manipur and contribute to the development of the state,” he noted.

JD(U)’s Manipur Unit Chief Letter

In an official letter issued by the party’s unit president in Manipur, Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, JD(U) announced that it no longer supports the BJP-led state government in Manipur.

The letter, addressed to Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, stated that their lone MLA, Md. Abdul Nasir, would now on be treated as an opposition MLA in the House.

“It is, hereby, further reiterated that Janata Dal (United), Manipur Unit does not support the BJP led state government in Manipur, and our lone MLA, Md. Abdul Nasir, shall be treated as an opposition MLA in the House,” the JD(U)’s Manipur unit letter stated.

The letter also highlighted the defection of five JD(U) MLAs to the BJP after the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections.

“In the election to State Assembly of Manipur held in February/March, 2022, six candidates set up by Janata Dal (United) were returned. After a few months, five MLAs of Janata Dal (United) defected to BJP. Trial under Tenth Schedule of Constitution of India of the five MLAs is pending before the Speaker’s Tribunal,” the letter noted.

It went on to mention that after JD(U) became a part of the INDIA alliance, the party decided to withdraw its support for the BJP-led government in Manipur. This decision was communicated to the office of the Hon’ble Governor, the Chief Minister (Leader of the House), and the Speaker.

“As such, seating arrangement of the lone MLA of Janata Dal (United) in Manipur, Md. Abdul Nasir is made in the Opposition Bench in the last session of Assembly by the Speaker,” the letter said.

This latest development comes amid criticism faced by the Biren Singh government over the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, which has been plagued by violence since May last year. Singh has faced criticism not only from opposition parties but also from members of his own party and alliance partners.

Congress Reacts 

Reacting to the news on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised questions about a potential political shift, highlighting JD(U)’s recent actions.

“Today, JD(U) withdrew support to the BJP Govt in Manipur. Yesterday, JD(U) opposed the new UGC Rules which have been announced by the Modi Govt to control top appointments to all universities,” the Congress leader wrote.

Ramesh further questioned: “Is this heralding political climate change?”