Yumnam Khemchand Singh Named Next Manipur Chief Minister In Power-Sharing Breakthrough

Last Updated:February 04, 2026, 09:04 IST

Singh, a BJP politician from Manipur, was elected to the assembly from the Singjamei constituency in both the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections. He also served as the Speaker

Former minister and Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh (second from left) with General Secretary Tarun Chugh and former Manipur CM N Biren Singh after being elected as BJP Legislature Party leader. (PTI)

In November 2024, Yumnam Khemchand Singh told News18 that then chief minister N Biren Singh had failed to maintain law and order in Manipur for over 18 months and should step down. Now, in a significant political development, Singh has been declared the next chief minister of the politically sensitive state.

On February 3, more than 45 MLAs of the Manipur legislative assembly reached a consensus on Singh as the next chief minister, representing the Meitei community. As part of the power-sharing arrangement, Nemcha Kipgen from the Kuki community has been named deputy chief minister, while Govindas Konthoujam will take charge as home minister. Singh is likely to take the oath of office on the evening of February 4.

The decision highlights a carefully worked-out political balance aimed at forming a popular and inclusive government. It marks a major breakthrough, as leaders from both the Meitei and Kuki communities have come together to form the government in an important step toward restoring political normalcy in the state. The real challenge ahead will be ensuring that both communities can jointly and effectively run the government on the ground.

Who is Yumnam Khemchand Singh?

Singh is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician from Manipur. He was elected to the Manipur legislative assembly from the Singjamei constituency in both the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections. He served as the Speaker of the assembly from 2017 to 2022.

In 2022, he was inducted as a cabinet minister in the second Biren Singh ministry, holding key portfolios, including the Municipal Administration and Housing Development (MAHUD) Department, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, and the Education Department. He served in this role until February 2025, when President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur.

Key Takeaways from the Government Formation

First, the coming together of Meitei and Kuki representatives to form the government is a significant political moment. Second, the formation of an elected government was the need of the hour, and this move provides a major boost to Manipur by signalling a return to normalcy, especially with elections due next year. Third, the choice of chief minister is politically significant, as Singh has been openly critical of N Biren Singh’s leadership.

Speaking to News18 in 2024, Singh had remarked: “In politics, there is no friend or foe. Honestly speaking, it has been 18 months and there is no peace. I asked him to resign a couple of times, but he is not putting down his papers. He could not bring peace till now, so why isn’t he resigning?"

While this development represents a major breakthrough for Manipur, its true success will ultimately depend on how effectively the new government functions on the ground and maintains harmony between the communities.

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