Manipur Gets New Chief Minister as BJP Picks Yum nam Khemchand Singh
After months of unrest Manipur appoints BJP leader Yum nam Khemchand Singh as chief minister aiming to restore stability governance and confidence following prolonged violence and President rule statewide peace
- Manipur gets new chief minister.
- BJP names Yum nam Khemchand Singh.
- Manipur leadership change after unrest.
After nearly a year of turmoil, Manipur is set to move out of a long phase of uncertainty with the appointment of a new chief minister. The decision follows a gradual improvement in law and order after the state remained under President rule.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has chosen senior leader Yum nam Khemchand Singh as its legislative leader, clearing the way for him to take charge as chief minister of Manipur. Party leaders say the choice reflects experience and administrative capability at a sensitive time.
Khemchand Singh is a familiar face in Manipur politics. He has won twice from the Singjamei constituency in Imphal West and has served as Speaker of the Manipur Assembly since 2017. After the BJP secured a clear majority in the 2022 elections, he was inducted into the cabinet and handled key portfolios including housing urban development rural development panchayati raj and education until President rule was imposed.
Beyond politics, Khemchand Singh is also known for his long standing involvement in martial arts. In December 2025, he received the Fifth Dan Black Belt award from the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation in Seoul, becoming the first Indian to earn the honour after decades of dedication to the sport.
Manipur had witnessed intense ethnic violence beginning in May 2023, with clashes between valley based Meitei groups and hill based Kuki Zo communities. The unrest led to large scale loss of life displacement of thousands and widespread damage to property, drawing national attention and criticism over the handling of the crisis.
Opposition parties had accused both the state and central governments of failing to control the situation, eventually leading to the imposition of President rule. With conditions now relatively calmer, the appointment of a new chief minister is being seen as a step toward political stability and rebuilding public trust in the state administration.
