NEW DELHI: Two-term legislator and former Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday took oath as Manipur’s 13th Chief Minister hours after President’s rule was revoked in the northeastern state.
BJP’s Nemcha Kipgen and Naga People’s Front’s L Dikho took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers.
They represent the tribal communities of the state — Kukis and Nagas.
Khemchand is a Meitei, the majority segment that mainly inhabits the valley areas in the state, while tribals mostly populate the hills.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office to 62-year-old Khemchand at a ceremony in Manipur Lok Bhavan.
After the swearing-in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I am confident they will work diligently towards furthering development and prosperity for my sisters and brothers of Manipur.”
Ethnic strife that erupted in the state in May 2023 killed nearly 260, dividing the ethnic groups bitterly.
The clashes were rooted in a high court order taking a favourable view of the majority Meitei community’s demand for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status — a move the tribals fiercely resisted fearing erosion of rights over resources.
After the oath ceremony, Khemchand promised a healing touch.
“Manipur consists of 36 communities. Our hope now is for all to help foster peace. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have placed great faith in me and I want to keep that trust,” said Khemchand, who has roots in the RSS.
Later in the day, he also chaired his first Cabinet meeting at the CM house.
The meeting was attended by Deputy CM Dikho and newly inducted ministers Govindas Konthoujam and K Loken Singh.
Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel was also present.
In a separate statement, Manipur Lok Bhavan said four parties had extended unconditional support to the BJP.
These are the National People’s Party (six members), Naga People’s Front (five members), Janata Dal-United (one member) and two Independent members.
The BJP has 37 MLAs in the 60-member state Assembly.
The state had been placed under President’s rule on February 13, 2025, after then CM N Biren Singh resigned amid growing political and social turmoil in the state.