Y Khemchand set to be Manipur CM after PR ends

Manipur’s BJP legislator Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday evening was elected Leader of the BJP Legislature Party, paving the way for the formation of a government headed by him in the border state where the President’s Rule will complete a year on February 13.
The announcement came after the BJP leadership met the party’s MLAs from Manipur and leaders of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners in Delhi.
According to sources, Nemcha Kipgen, a Kuki-Zo MLA from Kangpokpi is likely to be appointed deputy chief minister. She will be the first woman and the first Kuki-Zo to hold the post. Another deputy CM is likely to be from the Naga People’s Front, the BJP’s alliance partner. The BJP’s central observer for Manipur, Tarun Chugh, and its North East in-charge, Sambit Patra, attended the meeting. Former CM Biren Singh, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and legislators from Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga communities including Khemchand also attended the meeting in Delhi.
Khemchand, 61, is considered a non-polarising figure, acceptable across internal party factions during a period of political transition, sources said. Manipur’s assembly has been in a state of suspended animation – inactive but not dissolved – after President’s Rule came in February 2025.
There are 37 BJP MLAs in Manipur’s 60-member assembly. Initially, 32 BJP candidates won the 2022 assembly election. Five Janata Dal (United) candidates out of the six who got elected later defected to the BJP.
The other MLAs include six from National People’s Party, five from Naga People’s Front, five from the Congress, two from Kuki People’s Alliance, one from JD (U) and three independents. One seat is vacant after the death of an MLA.
Confirming the election of the new leader, BJP Manipur Pradesh, in a post on its official Facebook page, congratulated Yumnam Khemchand.
“Heartiest congratulations to Hon’ble Shri Yumnam Khemchand on being elected as the BJP Legislature Party Leader of Manipur,” the post stated.
Khemchand is the MLA from Singjamei assembly constituency in Imphal West district. He was appointed cabinet minister in the second term of the government led by former chief minister N Biren Singh in 2022.
Khemchand remained a minister till the imposition of President’s Rule in February 2025. During his ministerial tenure, he held key portfolios including municipal administration and housing development (MAHUD), rural development and panchayati raj, and education.
He served as Speaker of the Manipur assembly from 2017 to 2022. Khemchand is known within the BJP as a grassroots organiser with strong organisational credentials.