N Biren Singh to be Manipur CM again

Imphal, Mar 20: The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership has announced the name of N Biren Singh as the next chief minister of Manipur.

"It is a good decision taken unanimously by everyone. It will ensure that Manipur has a stable and responsible govt which will build further because the Centre today under the leadership of PM Modi gives special attention to Northeastern states," said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The legislature party's meeting and announcement follows 10 days of uncertainty since the results were announced with rival leaders Biren Singh and senior BJP MLA Th Biswajit Singh rushing to Delhi twice to meet central leaders in what was seen as part of a hectic lobbying exerocise by rival camps, despite denials of differences.

BJP got the absolute majority in the recently concluded state assembly polls and the election was fought without any state leader being projected as Chief Ministerial candidate.

Sitharaman and Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is the co-observer, arrived at Imphal earlier Sunday to attend the meeting of the newly elected BJP MLAs in the state. Union Labour Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Manipur's titular king and BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and party national spokesperson Sambit Patra also flew in for the crucial meet.

The BJP has returned to power in Manipur by winning 32 seats in the 60-member House in the recent assembly elections in the state.