The ten tribal legislators, of which seven belong to BJP, while acknowledging the Centre’s decision to place the Manipur Assembly under suspended animation expressed hope that the government would lay out a comprehensive political roadmap for peace and justice under a negotiated settlement. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on Saturday, reiterated its support for the President’s Rule in Manipur, saying it would pave the way for due political settlements. After the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9, hectic parleys took place to choose an alternate leader of the ruling BJP legislature party who would be the Chief Minister of the new government. The BJP sources said that state Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Municipal Administrations, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) Minister Yumnamchand Singh, Rajya Member from Manipur Maharaja Sanoba Leisa are the frontrunners for the post. The majority non-tribal Meitei communities account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and mostly in the Imphal Valley and Nagas.
