Days following Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stepped down from his post, President’s Rule is likely to be imposed in the strife-torn state, according to the media reports. Earlier on Sunday, CM Singh had tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal.
The governor accepted Singh’s resignation, with that of his council of ministers, and requested that he continue in office until alternative arrangements are made. Singh’s resignation came hours following he returned from Delhi following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Singh had been defying the opposition’s demand to step down as CM of the violence-hit state where trouble broke out 21 months ago in May 2023. Meanwhile, the state Assembly session which was scheduled to start on Monday has been scrapped. The opposition had planned to bring a no-confidence motion against Singh during the session.
The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur can be considered under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to take the action when a state government fails to comply with constitutional provisions. The decision would follow advice from the Union Council of Ministers.
The Article 356 reads, “Where any State has failed to comply with, or to give effect to, any directions given in the exercise of the executive power of the Union under any of the provisions of this Constitution, it shall be lawful for the President to hold that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”
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