Current CM of Manipur: N Biren Singh (BJP)

National People’s Party: Conrad Sangma

Indian National Congress: Okram Ibobi Singh

Naga People’s Front: Shurhozelie Liezietsu

Kuki People’s Alliance: Tongmang Haokip

The Government of Manipur, also known as the State Government of Manipur, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Manipur, comprising 16 districts. It includes an executive branch, led by the Governor of Manipur, a judiciary, and a legislative branch (Manipur Legislative Assembly).

The Governor, appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Central government, serves a largely ceremonial role. The Chief Minister is the head of government and holds most executive powers. Imphal, the capital of Manipur, houses the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and the state secretariat. The High Court of Manipur handles legal matters arising within the state.

The 2024 Indian general election in Manipur took place on 19 April and 26 April to elect two members of the 18th Lok Sabha from the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur constituencies. The election occurred amidst year-long ethnic violence between the Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki-Zo community in the hills. Despite reports of violence and intimidation by armed militias during the campaign and polling, the election was conducted relatively peacefully. Opposition Indian National Congress candidates Bimol Akoijam and Alfred Kanngam Arthur won the two seats.

History:

The 2024 Indian general election in Manipur was held amid severe ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, resulting in over 200 deaths and around 60,000 people displaced. The conflict led to a geographic separation of the two communities, with Meiteis fleeing the hill districts and Kuki-Zo fleeing the Imphal Valley. Violence continued with militias attacking opposing communities and ‘village defence volunteers’ protecting their areas. Over 6,000 looted firearms remain with militants and activists.

In the Inner Manipur constituency, covering the Imphal Valley, six candidates contested, including representatives from the ruling Baratiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Congress (INC). The Outer Manipur constituency, covering the hill districts and reserved for Scheduled Tribe communities, saw only Naga candidates, as the Kuki-Zo community chose not to field candidates. The BJP supported its ally, the Naga People’s Front, while the INC fielded a Naga candidate.

Campaigning, Threats, and Boycott Calls

On 30 March 2024, the Meitei militia group Arambai Tenggol, with 60,000 cadres, imposed “restrictions” on election campaigning, discouraging events like rallies and meetings, citing concerns over potential conflict and violence. Both the state and central governments did not respond to these restrictions.

On 19 March, unidentified gunmen fired at Congress Party’s Outer Manipur candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur during a village meeting, though he was unharmed. Later, on 28 March, Inner Manipur candidate Bimol Akoijam received threats at his home. The Congress Party requested police protection after Akoijam was threatened and faced disruptions at his campaign sites, including an attack on 14 April and another on 16 April, which he attributed to his own community.

A week before the first phase of polling, militants, allegedly from Arambai Tenggol, attacked the Phailengmol Island Block in Kangpokpi district, killing two Kuki-Zo village defense volunteers. Graphic videos of the victims were widely circulated, leading Kuki-Zo organizations to call for a boycott of the election with the slogan “no justice, no vote.” The Kuki National Assembly and Kuki Inpi joined the boycott, with directives to abstain from voting or vote against the ruling BJP and its allies.

The Naga community was urged by the United Naga Council to support the consensus candidate chosen by the Naga People’s Front and to maintain unity within the Naga community.

Political Parties:

· Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

· Indian National Congress (INC)

· National People’s Party (NPP)

· Communist Party of India (CPI)

· Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))

· Manipur People’s Party (MPP)

· Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))

· Naga People’s Front (NPF)

· Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

· All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)

Manipur’s political landscape is characterized by its ethnic diversity, with significant tensions between the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo communities in the hill districts. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, has gained substantial influence in recent years, while the Indian National Congress (INC), with former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as a key figure, remains a major player. The National People’s Party (NPP), led by Conrad Sangma, also holds a notable presence. The state’s governance follows a parliamentary system with a Governor serving as the ceremonial head of state and the Chief Minister wielding executive power. The unicameral Manipur Legislative Assembly handles law-making. Recent years have seen severe ethnic violence affecting the political climate, with elections often marked by intense competition and allegations of violence and intimidation. Development issues and regional conflicts continue to be central to political debates, reflecting the complex interplay of local and national influences in Manipur’s political arena.