MANIPUR: Months after swearing in, Manipur's government continues to operate with a skeleton crew, the Chief Minister and just four ministers handling state affairs. The much-anticipated cabinet expansion, slated to fill seven vacant ministerial posts, remains stalled, awaiting crucial approval from the BJP's central leadership. This prolonged delay, observed across reports from early February through May 2026, raises questions about governance stability in a state grappling with significant unrest.
The core issue is the protracted wait for central party clearance, a delay punctuated by repeated attempts by Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to secure approval and by the central leadership's insistence on monitoring the volatile situation before making any decisions.
While Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh officially took office on February 4, 2026, alongside two deputy chief ministers and two cabinet ministers, the full council, permitted to be 12 members in a 60-seat assembly, remains incomplete. The portfolios have been allocated among the existing ministers, with the Chief Minister retaining significant control over key departments.
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Reports suggest CM Singh has approached the BJP central leadership on multiple occasions regarding the expansion. The rationale offered by a senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, cited the immediate priority of "restoring normalcy" in Manipur, particularly as violence has reportedly spread to areas previously unaffected. This points to a broader political calculation where internal party matters are intrinsically linked to the state's volatile security landscape.
Some ruling MLAs, noting the conclusion of elections in neighbouring Assam and the subsequent swearing-in of its Chief Minister, have expressed hope for an imminent expansion. However, dissenting voices within the ruling coalition suggest that with development works proceeding and "equal shares for all ruling MLAs" reportedly ensured, the necessity for a full cabinet might be debatable.
Efforts by Chief Minister Singh to expedite the process included visits to New Delhi, where he met with central leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP national president Nitin Nabin. The presence of Dr. Sambit Patra, BJP NE In-Charge, has also been noted in discussions, suggesting a direct oversight role from the party's central command. The potential inclusion of two more Kuki ministers has also been a point of discussion.
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The uncertainty surrounding the cabinet expansion has persisted for weeks, with initial speculation in February suggesting a possible announcement within that very week. This prolonged period of indecision underscores the complex interplay of state-level political aspirations and central party directives, all against the backdrop of Manipur's persistent internal conflicts.
