A day after the BJP government led by Yumnam Khemchand Singh took charge in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council announced a social boycott of Kuki-Zo MLAs involved in the government formation. Among the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, three, including Nemcha Kipgen, L.M. Khaute, and Ngursanglur Sanate, participated in the government formation process.
Of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, seven are from the BJP, while the remaining three are associated with local Kuki-Zo organizations. Nemcha Kipgen, elected from Kangpokpi, was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi.
L.M. Khaute, representing Churachandpur, accompanied Chief Minister Khemchand Singh during the government formation claim to the Governor. Ngursanglur Sanate, elected from Tipaimukh, visited Imphal for the first time since ethnic violence in May 2023, related to government formation.
Expressing gratitude for her appointment, Nemcha Kipgen, a former Cabinet Minister, thanked the BJP central leadership for assigning her the role of Deputy Chief Minister. The Kuki-Zo Council strongly condemned the participation of certain Kuki-Zo MLAs in the government formation, terming it a violation of a previous resolution.
The Kuki-Zo Council urged the community to socially boycott the involved MLAs and not engage with them in any social or public activities. Various Kuki-Zo organizations are protesting in Manipur and Delhi against the participation of some Kuki-Zo MLAs in the government formation process.
The new Council of Ministers in Manipur, led by Khemchand Singh, includes Deputy Chief Minister Loishi Dikho of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and ministers Govindas Konthoujam (BJP) and Khuraijam Loken Singh of the National People’s Party (NPP). The Council is set to expand further as seven ministerial positions remain vacant.
