Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator L Susindro Meitei has alleged that the Congress was the first political force in Manipur to demand the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, only to later reverse its position. The remarks come at a time when the Manipur Congress unit has intensified its call for the restoration of an elected government or the holding of fresh polls. Speaking to reporters on Sunday on the sidelines of a local programme, the Khurai constituency MLA recalled the events that led to the dismissal of the previous government. “We were ministers and wanted our government to continue. However, the number of people who didn’t want the government to exist was many, and it finally had to go,” said Susindro, who had earlier served as the state’s Public Health Engineering minister.
Pointing to what he termed as Congress’s “shifting narrative,” Susindro claimed that even members of the party had called for Central intervention before. “President’s Rule was first demanded by Congress. Didn’t their MP also raise this demand in Parliament? They keep saying what they cannot do with five MLAs. However, those five have been the most problematic. Those five should have worked according to the interests of Manipur,” he said. The BJP MLA further alleged that the role of Congress legislators had triggered the beginning of the state government’s downfall. “The dissolution of our government began with the five MLAs of Congress. When President’s Rule was imposed, the Congress president had even said that one of the engines of the double-engine government had been struck with the Brahmastra missile,” Susindro recalled.
Highlighting the continuing uncertainty in Manipur’s political landscape, Susindro suggested that the Central rule could persist longer than expected. “President’s Rule will continue because there are many who favour and demand it. Outwardly, these people speak against it, but internally they support it. Under the existing circumstances, it is likely to continue. You can see clearly the political drama being played,” he remarked. Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following the resignation of then Chief Minister N Biren Singh on February 9. The state assembly, whose tenure runs till 2027, remains under suspended animation.
