Yumnam Khemchand Singh Appointed Manipur Chief Minister

Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 4, 2026, at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Imphal. Singh, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), assumes leadership following the revocation of President's rule, which had been in effect since February 2025.

Alongside Singh, several ministers also took their oaths. Notably, Nemcha Kipgen becomes the first Deputy Chief Minister from the Kuki community, while Losii Dikho from the Naga People’s Front is the other Deputy Chief Minister. The ceremony was attended by various BJP legislators, senior officials, and leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state.

In a post on social media, Singh expressed his optimism, stating, "I am confident that with the formation of the new Council of Ministers, peace and development will serve as the guiding principles of the new government." He also highlighted the challenges ahead in achieving the vision of a developed Bharat and a developed Manipur.

Singh has a long-standing affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has previously held various crucial roles within the government. Outside of his political career, he is a black belt in Taekwondo and has served as the vice-president of the Taekwondo Federation of India, promoting the sport in Northeast India. Singh first entered the political arena in 2012 on an All India Trinamool Congress ticket but later switched to the BJP in 2013 after losing that election.

His predecessor, Biren Singh, stepped down amid pressures related to ongoing unrest in Manipur. Singh's administration had faced rampant violence and civil unrest, prompting the imposition of a curfew and suspension of internet services in an attempt to regain control. Violent clashes had erupted primarily between armed groups representing different community factions, escalating tensions and leading to public outcry.

On leaving office, former Chief Minister Biren Singh met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Following this, he resigned the office of Chief Minister on February 9, 2025. Singh’s departure followed demands from both the ruling party and the opposition for a change in leadership, as community leaders advocated for a separate administrative unit for the Kuki-Zo community in response to ongoing violence.

As the new Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh will have to address the pressing issues that led to Biren Singh’s resignation and work towards stabilising the state amidst the ethnic tensions and political challenges that have characterised recent months in Manipur.