Manipur: 43 BJP members quit in Phungyar constituency, days before PM Modi’s likely visit | India News

NEW DELHI: At least 43 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members resigned from the celebration’s Phungyar Mandal in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Thursday, days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to the state, a celebration functionary stated. Those stepping down from the Naga-majority constituency embody the mandal president, heads of the Mahila, Yuva and Kisan morchas, in addition to a number of sales space presidents, PTI reported.In a press release, the BJP members stated they had been “deeply concerned over the present state of affairs within the party” and highlighted “lack of consultation, inclusiveness, and respect for grassroots leadership” as key reasons behind the step.“Our loyalty to the celebration and its ideology has all the time been unwavering. We reaffirm our dedication to work for the welfare of our group and the folks of Manipur,” it said. PM Modi is likely to visit Manipur and this will be his first since ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities erupted in May 2023, leaving more than 260 dead and thousands displaced. President’s Rule has been in force since chief minister N Biren Singh’s resignation in February.

PM Modi’s likely visit to Manipur

Modi’s likely itinerary—starting in Churachandpur and ending with an address at Kangla Fort in Imphal—reflects an attempt to balance optics and outreach. He is expected to meet displaced families and may announce rehabilitation packages, raising hopes that he will be able bridge the chasm.Churachandpur and Imphal—the symbolic and emotional centers of the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities respectively and this dual engagement is widely seen as a gesture of neutrality, signalling that the centre is deeply concerned about the humanitarian and political crisis, but not taking sides.The conflict, which erupted on May 3, 2023, has deepened the divide between the Meitei community, dominant in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups inhabiting the surrounding hills.What began as a protest against the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe status quickly spiralled into full-blown violence, fuelled by long-standing grievances over land rights, political representation, and cultural marginalization. The violence has not only fractured Manipur’s social fabric but also hardened political positions.