Imphal (Manipur) [India], May 28 (ANI): Moments after meeting Governor Ajay Bhalla, Manipur's Independent MLA Sapam Nishikanta Singh on Wednesday stated that all NDA legislators wanted a popular government in the state.

Speaking to mediapersons, Singh appealed to the Governor to form a popular government in Manipur, which was under President's rule since February 13, after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

'The majority of people want a popular government installed, and that is the reason we came here to meet the Governor. We also discussed other things, like the functioning of the President's rule may not be the same after the formation of a popular government. Primarily and basically, the main point was the formation of a popular government. The response of the Governor was also nice,' Singh said.

Ten MLAs, including eight BJP, one NPP, and one Independent MLA, staked a claim to form a government in Manipur.

'We expect the formation of the popular government to happen soon. We are appealing to the Governor that we want a popular government. We have also given a paper to the Governor that all of us have signed. All NDA MLAs in Manipur are very keen to have a popular government installed. We want the support of the public as well. The paper we gave had around 22 signatures. 10 MLAs have come here to meet the Governor,' he added.

On February 13, President Droupadi Murmu imposed President's Rule in Manipur after receiving a report from the state Governor.

The decision, exercised under Article 356 of the Constitution, means that the state's administrative functions will now be directly controlled by the President through the Governor.

The proclamation, published in the Gazette of India issued by the Union Home Ministry, states that the powers of the Manipur Legislative Assembly will be transferred to Parliament, effectively suspending the state government's authority.

Under this order, the Governor's powers will now be exercised by the President; the state legislature's authority will be assumed by Parliament; and specific articles of the Constitution, including those concerning legislative procedures and governance, have been suspended to ensure smooth central administration.

President's Rule is typically imposed when a state government is deemed incapable of functioning as per constitutional norms. The move follows political instability and law-and-order concerns in Manipur. The suspension of legislative powers means that all state laws and decisions will now be made under central authority, either by Parliament or the President.

The imposition of President's Rule can last up to six months, subject to parliamentary approval. During this period, the central government will oversee governance, and fresh elections may be called to elect a new assembly.

The move came days after N Biren Singh resigned from his position as the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9. His resignation came amid prolonged ethnic violence and political instability that had plagued the state for nearly two years.

The unrest in Manipur primarily involved clashes between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki-Zomi tribes. Tensions escalated over disputes related to economic benefits, job quotas, and land rights. The violence resulted in hundreds of fatalities and displaced approximately 60,000 individuals. (ANI)