Manipur Crisis: 44 MLAs Signal Intent to Form New Government : President’s Rule Under Article 356 Explained

The Starting Point

Since May of 2023, the Indian state of Manipur, which is located in the northeastern region, has been facing political turmoil as well as ethnic strife. The circumstance reached a point of escalation, which resulted in the implementation of President’s Rule in February of 2025. In recent times, a group of forty-four members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have communicated their willingness to create a new administration, which may indicate a change in the way the state is governed. In addition to providing an explanation of President’s Rule as it is expressed in Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, this article dives into the recent political occurrences that have taken place in Manipur.

Historical Context Behind the Crisis in Manipur

The Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities engaged in violent conflict with one another in May of 2023, which marked the beginning of the crisis in Manipur. Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as a direct result of the violence, which resulted in over 250 deaths. There was widespread criticism directed toward the manner in which the state government handled the crisis, which ultimately resulted in the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The state was placed under President’s Rule by the central government in February 2025 as a result of the ongoing state of turmoil and the difficulties that were encountered in administration.

Recent Political Events and Developments

Ten members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (MLAs) met with the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on May 28, 2025. The delegation was led by BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh. According to them, a total of 44 members of the Legislative Assembly are prepared to create a new government in the state. The members of this group consist of thirty out of the thirty-seven members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including the previous Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, all six members of the National People’s Party (NPP), five members of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), one member of the JD(U), and two independents. Remarkably, the seven members of the Kuki-Zo community who are members of the BJP are not included in this group. Five members of the Congress Legislative Assembly, two members of the Kuki People’s Alliance, and one independent member of parliament are all members of the opposition, and they all represent the Kuki-Zo community. As a result of the passing of a legislator, there is now a vacancy in one of the assembly seats. The New Indian Express, The Economic Times.

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An appeal has been made to the Governor by the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to support the creation of a “popular” government that conveys the will of the people. It is anticipated that the central leadership of the BJP would make the ultimate judgment about this topic. Considering that

In accordance with Article 356, an Understanding of the President’s Rule

A clause that can be found in Article 356 of the Indian Constitution is referred to be President’s Rule. This provision is also known as State Emergency or Constitutional Emergency. This provision enables the central government to take direct control of the administration of a state in the event that the constitutional machinery in that state fails to function properly.

The Prerequisites for the Imposition

When the following conditions are met, the President’s Rule may be implemented:

* “Breakdown of Constitutional Machinery”: If the President is convinced that the state government is unable to function in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution, whether based on a report from the Governor of the state or any other reason. Article 7 of the Constitution of India

Failure to Comply with Central directives: If a state fails to comply with or implement any directives issued by the central government, the President has the authority to come to the conclusion that the state’s governance cannot be carried out in line with the Constitution.

The Method and Number of Minutes

Within two months of its implementation, President’s Rule must be ratified by both houses of Parliament in order to be in effect. In the beginning, it is valid for a period of six months, and it has the potential to be extended for a maximum of three years when it receives approval from the parliament every six months. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1978, states that the President’s Rule cannot be prolonged for more than one year unless the following conditions are met:

One or more states or the entire nation are experiencing a state of national emergency.

As a result of the challenges that are associated with holding elections for the state’s assembly, the Election Commission has determined that it is essential to maintain President’s Rule going forward.

The Repercussions of the President’s Rule

As soon as President’s Rule is put into effect:

* The Council of Ministers of the state is removed from their positions, and the legislative assembly is either dissolved or suspended

The President is responsible for carrying out the duties of the state government and has the ability to turn over these responsibilities to the Governor or to other authorities.

The power to legislate for the state is delegated to the Parliament, and the President has the authority to issue ordinances even while Parliament is not gathering to discuss the matter.

Implications for the State of Manipur

A desire to restore democratic administration in Manipur is indicated by the formation of a new government by 44 members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. It is possible that the Governor will extend an invitation to them to form the government, therefore putting an end to President’s Rule, if he is satisfied with their claim of majority support. However, the fact that members of the Kuki-Zo community legislature are not included in this group raises concerns about the inclusiveness and representativeness of the government that is being suggested. In light of the previous history of ethnic conflicts in the state, it is absolutely necessary for any new government to work towards achieving reconciliation and maintaining inclusive governance.

The state of Manipur is currently at a crossroads, and the possibility of forming a new administration presents an opportunity to reestablish democratic governance and stability during this time. But the success of this initiative will be contingent on the new administration’s capacity to address the underlying ethnic tensions that have plagued the state, as well as on the administration’s willingness to include all members of the community. In order to fully appreciate the gravity of the current situation and the significance of a seamless transition back to elected governance, it is vital to have a thorough understanding of the provisions and ramifications of President’s Rule as outlined in Article 356.