New Delhi: Ten days before the completion of one year of President’s Rule in Manipur, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has moved to reinstall a popular government in the state, choosing two-time MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the chief minister. Nemcha Kipgen, a Kuki-Zo MLA from Kangpokpi district, is likely to be appointed deputy chief minister.The decision has triggered disquiet among Kuki-Zo leaders and civil society organisations, who argue that the move runs counter to a collective political position adopted by the community months ago. Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), told The Wire that Nemcha Kipgen’s elevation was not yet a settled matter. “Until she takes the oath, it is still speculation,” he said.Kuki-Zo leaders point to the Guwahati Declaration, adopted by civil society organisations, Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups and Kuki-Zo legislators, which resolved not to participate in any popular government unless the Union government agreed to a separate administration for the hill areas in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature.BJP MLA Paolien Haokip reiterated this position, making it clear that Kuki-Zo legislators were not standing in the way of government formation. “The government can form a popular government if they want, without our participation. We cannot stop them,” he told The Wire. However, he underlined that their participation remained conditional. “Short of a written agreement for a time-bound political settlement, we are not going to be part of the new government.”The Kuki-Zo community has insisted that any deviation from this position would be an individual decision. “If Nemcha Kipgen ignores the Guwahati Resolution, then she is going on her own, taking risks of her own,” Vualzong said.The BJP’s choice of Khemchand as Chief Minister is being viewed as a political recalibration within the party. According to The Indian Express, Khemchand, 62, was earlier seen as a close associate of former chief minister N. Biren Singh.All BJP MLAs and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders from Manipur were called to Delhi to finalise the formation of a new government. The Centre also held separate meetings with Kuki-Zo legislators. Of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, five attended Tuesday’s (February 3) meeting. The BJP currently has 37 MLAs, including seven from the Kuki-Zo community.Independent Kuki MLA Haokholet Kipgen, who represents the Saikul assembly constituency in Kangpokpi district, expressed disappointment over reports of Nemcha Kipgen’s possible induction into the government.“If Nemcha becomes deputy chief minister, it will be her individual decision, not the community’s decision,” he told The Wire. “The only way we can join hands with the government is if the demand for separate administration is fulfilled.” Kipgen is an independent MLA and was not part of the meeting held in Delhi.Kuki-Zo leaders say the Centre’s push to restore an elected government without addressing core political grievances has only deepened mistrust. The leaders say that they are appalled at the attempt to restore political normalcy without first resolving the underlying trust deficit between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.“The Kuki-Zo community cannot fathom the idea of having our MLAs be part of valley MLAs who have already pledged allegiance to an armed secessionist group like Arambai Tenggol,” said Ng Lun Kipgen, spokesperson of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU). He added that offering senior portfolios to Kuki-Zo MLAs would not restore confidence.“As it is, we have already been segregated physically. Giving plum portfolios does not signal normalcy. It looks like forced reconciliation of leadership and face-saving for the BJP in the state.”Ng Lun Kipgen also dismissed the change in leadership as politically inconsequential for the community. “It could be Khemchand, Biren or Biswajit as chief minister. It makes no difference for the Kuki-Zo community since they belong to the same political and social ecosystem. Where were those liberals when Biren misused his power?” he asked.Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, with the state assembly kept under suspended animation owing to the ethnic violence in the state. The Assembly’s tenure ends in February 2027. Notably, the post of deputy chief minister has no constitutional basis. The Constitution recognises only the chief minister and the council of ministers.