Yumnam Khemchand Singh To Be Next Manipur Chief Minister: Elected As BJP's Legislative Party Leader

Manipur is preparing for a new Chief Minister after a year without an elected leader. The gap followed N. Biren Singh’s resignation and the start of President’s Rule during ethnic violence. BJP MLAs have now chosen Yumnam Khemchand Singh as their legislative party leader, clearing the way for a new government to take office.

The change comes after a team of BJP MLAs travelled to Delhi for talks on government formation. They held detailed discussions with the party’s central leaders, including Amit Shah, on Manipur’s political future. Following these meetings, the legislators elected Yumnam Khemchand Singh as leader of the BJP Legislative Party in Manipur.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh: political journey

Yumnam Khemchand Singh is a senior BJP leader with long experience in Manipur politics. Singh represents the Singjamei constituency in Imphal West in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Voters elected Singh from Singjamei in both the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections, strengthening Singh’s influence within the party and the state.

Between March 2017 and March 2022, Yumnam Khemchand Singh served as Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. In that role, Singh managed debates and procedures at a tense moment in Manipur politics. After the BJP won a majority in the 2022 Assembly Elections, Singh entered the second N. Biren Singh cabinet with several key portfolios.

As a cabinet minister in the second N. Biren Singh government, Yumnam Khemchand Singh handled several departments. Singh was in charge of Municipal Administration, Housing Development (MAHUD), Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Education. These responsibilities continued until February 2025, when President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur and the ministry stood suspended.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh: reactions and personal interests

Outside official duties, Yumnam Khemchand Singh has a long record in martial arts training. Singh began practising traditional taekwondo at the age of 16 and stayed active for decades. In December 2025, the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation in Seoul awarded Singh a fifth-dan black belt, making Singh the first Indian to hold that rank in traditional taekwondo.

Many BJP leaders in Manipur see the leadership decision as a delayed but important step. BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said, "It's good that we are going to have an elected government, a popular government. It's long overdue. So we thank the central leadership for finally taking this step." Thokchom Radheshyam Singh also stressed hopes for stability under the new administration.

Looking ahead, party leaders are linking the new ministry to efforts to address Manipur’s tensions. Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said, "Every problem has a solution. I think with the guidance of the central leadership and the new ministry, under the leadership of Yumnam Khemchand, we will find a solution," reflecting expectations that an elected government will replace President’s Rule after a year of uncertainty.