Imphal. The NDA government has been re-formed in Manipur, with Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of the state. The swearing-in ceremony was performed by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhawan on Wednesday evening. Khemchand, who belongs to the Meitei community, is the son of former Chief Minister N. Considered close to Biren Singh.

Two deputy chief ministers also took oath to ensure inclusive representation in the state: Losi Dikho, a Naga People’s Front MLA who belongs to the Naga community, and Nemcha Kipgen, who belongs to the Kuki community and became Manipur’s first woman deputy chief minister. Both of them took oath through video conference from Manipur Bhawan in Delhi.

President Draupadi Murmu today ended President’s rule in Manipur after 356 days. President’s rule was imposed in the state on 9 February 2025 when former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had resigned due to caste violence between Meitei and Kuki communities. President’s rule came into effect from 13 February 2025.

Earlier, on February 3, the Manipur BJP legislature party in Delhi had elected Yumnam Khemchand Singh as its leader. The next day, the names for the posts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were finalized in the meeting of NDA constituents. Khemchand, who is the MLA from Singjamei Assembly constituency (Imphal West), has previously been the Manipur Assembly Speaker from 2017-2022 and will succeed N. Was a minister in the second government of Biren Singh.

He is considered a centrist leader in the Meitei community and has been active in peace efforts in recent months. Khemchand, who visited Kuki-dominated areas and relief camps after the May 2023 violence, is known for his balanced and inclusive politics unlike the hardline Meitei faction.