In a significant political development, at least 23 BJP legislators convened on Friday evening at the residence of former minister Thongam Biswajit Singh in Imphal to build consensus on prioritising unity and forming a government in Manipur, over three months after the state was placed under President’s Rule.

The meeting, held against the backdrop of continuing ethnic tensions and a prolonged political deadlock, concluded with a joint resolution by the legislators to put aside individual ambitions for the greater good of the state and its people.

This closed-door huddle came just two days after BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam claimed that 44 legislators — excluding the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs and five from the Congress — had agreed to form a popular government, expressing readiness to act in line with the will of the people.

In a collective statement, the BJP legislators reaffirmed their commitment to unity, peace, and the restoration of communal harmony in Manipur. “We resolved to put aside personal ambitions in the larger interest of the state, its people, and the vision of the BJP and its alliance partners,” the statement read.

Acknowledging the grave suffering experienced by citizens during nearly two years of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities — which has claimed over 250 lives — the legislators underscored the urgency of a long-term, inclusive political solution. They identified political will, constitutional safeguards, impartial law enforcement, and inclusive dialogue as critical components of any path to peace.

During the deliberations, the leaders also proposed the formation of a neutral dialogue platform aimed at fostering constructive engagement between the warring communities. Additionally, they discussed the possibility of formally requesting the Governor and the Centre to appoint a ‘peace envoy’ or a panel of eminent persons to act as impartial mediators and bridge the deep-rooted trust deficit.

Addressing the recent incident in Gwaltabi on May 20, the legislators urged the government to initiate consultations with media representatives and civil society organisations (CSOs) to foster understanding and reach an amicable consensus.