Meitei and Kuki BJP MLAs meet in Delhi, mark step towards peace and government formation in Manipur
New Delhi – For the first time since May 2023, BJP MLAs from Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki communities met under one roof in Delhi on Sunday. The gathering, led by party leadership, sparked speculation about the formation of a new government in the border state, which has remained under President’s rule since February.
The meeting followed President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day visit to Manipur last week. She emphasized that “the hills and valley have always complemented each other” and called for peace and reconciliation. The Meitei community dominates the valley region, while the Kuki tribes reside in hill districts. Party insiders said the Delhi gathering reflects acknowledgment of the President’s message.
Earlier, a section of BJP MLAs in Manipur had urged the party leadership to decide on government formation. President’s rule in the state was extended for six more months till February 2026. Any further extension will require parliamentary or Election Commission approval.
BJP national general secretary BL Santosh described the Delhi meeting as “fruitful.” He highlighted discussions on peace and development and said all attendees resolved to restore normalcy and accelerate developmental work in the state. The party’s northeast incharge, Sambit Patra, and Santosh had visited Manipur in November to meet state leaders and discuss the situation.
Sources called Sunday’s gathering an ice-breaker between Meitei and Kuki MLAs. Earlier, seven Kuki BJP MLAs had demanded a separate administration. Their participation in the Delhi meeting indicated a step back from that demand, prioritizing the welfare of all communities. Observers described this as a “selfless gesture of leadership,” especially given opposition from some armed groups claiming to represent Kuki tribes.
These militant groups operate under a suspension of operations (SoO) agreement but cannot use it as a license to destabilize the region. Some Kuki leaders and civil society groups, aligned with these 24 armed factions, had pushed for a divided Manipur or a separate administration.
Manipur BJP spokesperson Michael Lamjathang Thadou, also a youth leader of the Thadou tribe, praised the Delhi meeting as a move toward stability and peace. He noted that the gathering reaffirmed unity among Kuki, Zomi, Hmar, and Meitei MLAs for the 2022-27 term. The reconciliation marks renewed cooperation and commitment to governance despite ethnic tensions.
The party leadership used the meeting to seek support from state leaders for sustaining peace and facilitating government formation. The Delhi gathering also highlighted the importance of collaborative leadership in a sensitive region.
Ethnic violence in Manipur has taken a heavy toll. More than 260 people have died, and thousands have been left homeless in recent clashes. The meeting of BJP MLAs from different communities indicates a positive step toward restoring trust, rebuilding communities, and enabling political stability in the state.
Observers believe that if cooperation continues, the BJP could form a government in Manipur, balancing development, peace, and representation for all communities. The Delhi meeting stands as a landmark moment in bridging ethnic divides and paving the way for political reconciliation in the troubled state.
