Manipur set to get Y Khemchand Singh as CM, Kuki leader Nemcha Kipgen and a Naga leader as deputy CMs
With Singh from the Meitei community and Kipgen, a well-known face of Kuki, the move is seen as a high-risk reconciliation effort after nearly a year of the Presidency. Kipgen’s elevation as deputy CM is aimed at sending a message of inclusion to the Kuki-Zos.
ET had reported on February 2 that the BJP was considering appointing a Meitei CM and a Kuki deputy CM. There is also a strong possibility of a deputy CM coming from Naga from NPF (5 MLAs). Additionally, NPP will be part of the new government.
Khemchand was elected leader of the BJP legislature party in a meeting attended by party observer Tarun Chugh and northeast in-charge Sambit Patra. Kipgen, a former minister in the N Biren Singh government, was elected as deputy leader. A separate NDA MLA meeting is expected to formally confirm Singh as coalition leader, paving the way for government formation before President’s Rule ends next week. Manipur was brought under Presidential rule on 13 February 2025 due to ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis.
For the last 2.5 years, Khemchand has been reaching out to Kukis and on December 8, 2025, he went to two Kuki villages as a confidence-building measure for the first time since ethnic violence gripped Manipur. Khemchand had said that Manipur is home to 36 communities. “Meite needs to be the majority community, play the role of the big brother in resolving the current conflict,” he said. He said Meiteis are still hesitant to cross Kangpokpi on NH 39 due to lack of trust in Kukis. “We need to remove this,” he added.
A 5th Dan Taekwondo master, Khemchand graduated from the World Taekwondo Academy in Seoul with a degree in martial arts. The vice-president of the Assam Olympics Association, he was instrumental in establishing the All-Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982. He was the speaker of Manipur assembly during 2017-2022. Khemchand becomes a minister in 2022.
