Pyar '356' may be extended

Free Thinker
It is my humble conjecture that PR in Manipur may continue. This can be extended on the pretext of Emergency (national/regional/state) stating that the State is still under tremendous pressure from inside and outside due to internal ethnic tension, demographic displacement and external infringement from disturbed Myanmar. More convenient reason could be – ‘at this juncture polling can't be held due to large displacement of voters in 8 districts due to ethnic clashes’; it will be certified by the friendly Election Commission. This is also a fact that out of 60 thousand displaced people only 16 thousand have returned home (as per CS report).
Media reports that clear words on Manipur are not coming from the Union Government. President’s Rule in the State is completing one year on Valentine's day this year. PR was imposed in Manipur on 13 Feb 2025, invoking Article 356 of the Constitution of Bharat.
Many are expressing different views pertaining to the BJP leadership’s next move in Manipur as President's rule will complete a year in the next few days. The two at the top remain silent. The possibility of re-installation of a BJP led government is murmured by the middle ranking in-charge and out -charge. But there is no certainty so far.
A few State BJP leaders are saying that a government is coming soon; they have unanimously requested the Central leadership to choose the leader. In fact, any leader chosen by the top leadership will be accepted without any condition. The Kuki-Zo MLAs have also agreed to the proposition but with a condition that - their demand for a separate administration be looked into .
Sambit ji (NE BJP in-charge or coordinator) had many meetings with the BJP MLAs including Kuki-Zo MLAs. Last December BJP's Sangathan Mantri Santhosh ji and Sambit ji met party's legislators from all communities. Almost all BJP MLAs attended the meeting, including Speaker Shri Satyabrata and former CM Shri Biren Singh. Among the seven BJP MLAs from the Kuki community, four participated in the meeting while three Kuki MLAs could not attend on health grounds and personal issues.
Before Valentine’s Day if a government could not be launched, a statutory resolution will have to be adopted in both Houses of Parliament on or before 13 February for the extension of the President's rule, and Manipur Budget should also be passed during this ongoing Budget Session.
BJP has 32 MLAs, JD(U) had six and five of them joined BJP. Consequently, BJP has 37 MLAs now. In addition, there are 6 National People's Party (NPP) MLAs, five MLAs of Naga People's Front, five Congress, two Kuki People's Alliance (KPA), single Janata Dal (United) MLA, and three Independent MLAs. There is one vacant seat due to the demise of a sitting MLA.
The State has been put under PR after the resignation of Shri Biren Singh, who was heading a BJP-led government (perhaps he was asked to do so). On February 9, he resigned following a series of unfortunate ethnic violences that claimed many lives and had displaced several thousands. Still the majority of the internally displaced persons are in the relief camps which are largely taken care of by the government. Though the relief and rehabilitation funds are allegedly over spent on expensive items like salt, water and fire woods etc.
The 60-member state assembly, which has a tenure till March 2027, has been put under suspended animation. Most of the MLAs are still hoping for ‘Ache Din Ayenge’. If the assembly is dissolved, they will be deprived of their salary and allowances plus local area development fund. Perhaps MLAs have requested the concerned authorities to not dissolve the Assembly.
Of course, few leaders and some bureaucrats are happy that the PR is likely to be extended. We don’t know the reason why? It is speculated that their things are moving smoothly and without hindrances from Netas.
With the imposition of PR in Manipur, Shri Bhalla had been given the charge to rule the State. He has taken a number of steps to restore peace and normalcy including retrieving the looted arms and ammunition.
Frankly speaking, I tried to get the right position from the Union Law Secretary that whether the condition of ‘animated suspension’ can be kept even after one year of PR; he said ‘yes’ – along with the PR as it continues. That means it can be synchronous.
Article 356 of Bharat Constitution allows PR initially for six-months extendable up to three years with Parliamentary approval for every 6 months. Post 44 th Constitution Amendment extension beyond a year requires a national/state emergency (type situation) or ECI certification of polling difficulties in conflict areas.
In practice, the longest continuous period for which a State Assembly can remain under suspended animation during President’s Rule under Article 356 is co-extensive with the maximum duration of President’s Rule itself, that is 3 years. I am giving free legal advice – but I may be utterly misleading. So, our legal luminaries like Kotis, Boby, Bimol, Lenin, Rarry, Deepak, Devan, Sahu, Junior etc. etc., may be consulted, strictly not on a pro bono basis.