- By Aditya Jha
- Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:11 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manipur News: Yumnam Khemchand Singh will take oath as the next chief minister of Manipur after the BJP on Tuesday elected him as the legislature party leader. Singh will become the 56th chief minister of the northeastern state after almost an year of president rule due to the internal conflicts. Earlier on Monday, the BJP initiated to form its government in Manipur by appointing Tarun Chugh as the central observer to oversee the process.
While Singh belongs to the Meitei community, the saffron party is likely to appoint Nemcha Kipgen, a woman Kuki leader, as the deputy chief minister to maintain the balance between the two major communities of the state. Earlier on February 13, 2025, president rule was imposed in Manipur after the state witnessed months of violent conflicts between the two communities.
Who Is Yumnam Khemchand Singh?
- BJP MLA from the Singjamei Assembly constituency
- Served as the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly for five years from 2017 to 2022
- Held several key ministries, including Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and the Education Department
- Khemchand Singh belongs to Meitei community
- Has promoted the martial art of Taekwondo in the northeast
- Became first Indian to receive the 5th Dan black belt in traditional Taekwondo earlier in 2025
- Earlier in 2022, Singh was appointed as cabinet minister
- He held the portfolios of municipal administration, housing development (MAHUD) department, rural development and panchayati raj
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The saffron party has 37 MLAs in Manipur and is supported by its allies Naga People’s Front (5)and JDU with one legislator. The opposition has 16 MLAs, with National People’s Party (6), Congress (5), independents (3). Apart from this, two MLAs are from KPA, which withdrew its support from the NDA due to the violence.