High Voltage Drama Ends: People Stop Manipur CM N Biren Singh from Resigning

It was a day of intense drama in violence-hit Manipur. At least till about 4 PM today the focus had shifted to Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s official residence in Imphal and incidents of arson, firing and violence took a back seat.

Since morning the big buzz was that CM Singh is all set to resign upset about the recent incidents of violence. According to people close to the CM, the CM who is serving his second term, was hurt because despite his best efforts incidents of arson, firing and violence went on.
It all began at around 10-10.30 PM last night when most of CM Singh’s Cabinet ministers gathered at his official residence, drafted a letter (said to be the resignation letter), they all including the CM signed it and sought an appointment with Governor Anusuiya Uikey at 10 AM to submit their resignation. The meeting was rescheduled to 1PM and again to 3PM today.

With sunrise, the news that CM Singh is contemplating to submit his resignation spread like wildfire and his supporters started gathering outside his residence. Imas (mothers in Manipuri) thronged CM’s residence and supporters shouted slogans urging the CM to stay on, stand firm, and not resign.

However, CM Singh did leave his residence post 2PM today to reach the Governor’s House to submit his resignation but the 200 metre stretch from the CM’s residence to the Governor’s House was choc-a-block with his supporters and well-wishers. The presence of hundreds of people on the street made it impossible for the CM’s convoy to move forward. There were many more waiting at the gate of Governor’s House blocking the way. The CM had to finally turn around and drive back home.

But before the CM left for Governor’s House, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called CM Singh and according to sources, HM Shah is understood to have conveyed to him that the Centre is not in favour of him stepping down.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Manipur Health minister Sapam Ranjan Singh who was with the CM since last night when the political drama began to unfold, said, “It was around 2:20-2:30 we left CM’s bungalow to meet the Governor. On the way, just as soon as we reached the front of the gate, there were thousands and thousands of people who were apprehensive that the CM may resign. Their concern was that he should not resign and that they will not allow him to resign. The roads around CM’s residence and Raj Bhawan was blocked by thousands and thousands of people of all age groups from all walks of life. Their only concern was that the CM should not resign, because they consider him to be the People’s CM. All of us know that he is the People’s CM.”

Sharing more info about what the CM has been going through since violence broke out, Minister Sapam Ranjan Singh said, “He was not happy, he has been quiet for almost 2 months now and yesterday he was really in a sad mood where he told that he would like to resign. Today he put his signature on the resignation paper and after going out to meet the Governor.”

The political drama reached its climax when some supporters tore the resignation letter in full public glare and in the presence of few of Biren Singh’s Cabinet Ministers.

Finally putting all speculations to rest, CM Singh declared that he would not resign. Taking to Twitter, the Chief Minister wrote, “At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister.”

And thus came down the curtains on this political drama at least for now. But the billion-dollar question remains, when and how will peace return to Manipur?