Will the BJP be able to hold on to government in Manipur this time?

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Manipur has always been beset by rumbles of dissent from within. Yet the rainbow alliance has survived for more than three years now, keeping the BJP in power in the North Eastern state even though it had not won anywhere near a majority in the Assembly elections of 2017.

But even as the state faces a surge of Covid-19 cases, the BJP must contend with another wave of rebellion. On June 18, the Congress moved a no-confidence motion against the government. This after an alliance partner withdrew from the government and BJP legislators abandoned ship. This may be the most serious challenge to the state government so far.

A string of resignations

It began on the afternoon of June 17, when four state ministers, all belonging to the BJP’s alliance partner, National People’s Party, quit the cabinet. Among the four was Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar Singh, the state’s health minister. Subsequently, the National People’s Party withdrew support to the government.

Relationship between the two parties, always strained, reached breaking point in April, when National People’s Party leader Yumnam Joykumar Singh openly admonished Chief Minister N Biren Singh for his handling of the Covid-19 crisis. Singhresponded by stripping Joykumar Singh of all his portfolios.

Almost simultaneously on June 17, three of the BJP’s own legislators...

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