The Home Ministry on Tuesday issued a notification revoking President’s rule in Manipur with immediate effect. According to a ‘proclamation’ published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), President Draupadi Murmu has revoked the proclamation issued under Article 356(2) of the Constitution in respect of the State of Manipur. The previous announcement was issued on February 13, 2025.
The new proclamation signed by the President on Wednesday (February 4, 2026) states that President’s rule has been withdrawn in Manipur. In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of article 356 of the Constitution, I, Draupadi Murmu, President of India, do hereby repeal the Proclamation issued by me under the said article on the 13th February, 2025, in relation to the State of Manipur, on the 4th February, With effect from 2026,” the proclamation reads.
The move comes a day after the BJP on Tuesday declared two-time MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh the leader of the legislature party in conflict-torn Manipur and named him the next chief minister of the state. The decision was taken at a meeting of party MLAs at the BJP headquarters. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Tuesday.
Khemchand Singh will have two deputy chief ministers, one from the Kuki-Zo community and the other from the Naga community. Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen has been appointed deputy chief minister. Alliance partner Naga People’s Front is expected to announce the name of the Naga Deputy Chief Minister soon.
Khemchand Singh, 62, is a member of the Meitei community and an engineer. He has served as Municipal Administration Minister in the former Biren Singh government. He was one of the contenders for the post of Chief Minister in 2022. President Draupadi Murmu had imposed President’s rule in the state on February 13 last year after receiving a report from the Governor of Manipur citing breakdown of constitutional governance.
The decision was taken days after the resignation of N Biren Singh as the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9, 2025. His resignation comes at a time when the state has been rocked by caste violence and political instability for almost two years. Manipur has been witnessing widespread violence and law and order problems since May 3, 2023. Clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities left hundreds dead and thousands displaced. Former Chief Minister N. After the resignation of Biren Singh, political tension increased in Manipur and ultimately President’s rule had to be imposed in the state.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, since assuming office on January 3, has been meeting people and taking their feedback on ways to restore normalcy in the northeastern state. The unrest in Manipur was mainly caused by clashes between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki-Zomi tribes. Tensions increased over disputes over economic benefits, job quotas and land rights. The violence resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced about 60,000 people.
