MP Bimol opposes extension of President’s Rule in Manipur, calls it 'undemocratic'

Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has strongly opposed any proposal to extend President’s Rule (PR) in Manipur, calling it antithetical to the spirit of the Indian Constitution and a blow to democratic governance. 
 

Responding to media reports suggesting the Modi government may propose an extension during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, Bimol urged the ruling BJP to respect the will of the people and form a popular government instead.
 

Speaking at a press conference held at his residence in Imphal today, MP Bimol stated, “President’s Rule should not be whimsically extended. It was never meant to be a long-term solution. The people of Manipur deserve to be governed by an elected government, not an unelected bureaucratic system.”
 

Highlighting that the BJP currently holds 54 seats in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly, Bimol questioned the party’s inability to form a government despite its absolute majority. “If you cannot form a government with such a clear majority, then you should seek a fresh mandate from the people instead of clinging to President’s Rule. Even though I am a Congress MP, I say this — your elected government is still better than a bureaucratic regime. Not forming a government is a betrayal of the people’s trust,” he said.
 

Bimol also referenced the constitutional vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, noting that Article 356 was meant to be invoked only under extraordinary circumstances, and only after exhausting the provisions of Article 355. “Ambedkar was cautious about the misuse of Article 356. Extending PR without justified grounds undermines the very foundation of federal democracy,” he remarked.
 

The MP also criticised the recent appointment of a new Chief Secretary who does not belong to the Manipur cadre, calling it another instance of insensitivity by the central government. “In a time of crisis, appointing officers unfamiliar with the region is a wrong move. Bureaucrats leading the state administration must understand the local context — and that requires belonging to the Manipur cadre,” he asserted.
 

Bimol reiterated his call for restoring democratic governance in Manipur and urged the central government to respect constitutional norms and the voice of the people.