The BJP Parliamentary Board on February 2 appointed party national general secretary Tarun Chugh as the central observer for the election of the Manipur BJP legislature party leader, signalling renewed momentum towards government formation as President’s rule in the state nears its end.
The move comes days before the second spell of President’s rule in Manipur is set to expire next week. In recent days, several NDA MLAs from the state have reached New Delhi following summons from the BJP’s central leadership, fuelling speculation that a decision on restoring an elected government is imminent.

Confirming the appointment, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said Chugh would oversee the process of electing the BJP legislature party leader in Manipur. A meeting of the BJP legislature party is expected to be held on Tuesday, although the venue has not yet been finalised.

Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 13, 2025, following the resignation of the BJP-led government headed by N Biren Singh on February 9 that year. The 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly, whose term runs until 2027, was placed under suspended animation amid prolonged ethnic unrest.