Govt facing Cabinet expansion, portfolio dilemma ?

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 8: Even nearly a week after the Manipur Government was revived under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, his Cabinet has not expanded and portfolios have not been distributed, affecting the functioning and affairs of several key departments.
Khemchand's Government was formed after President's Rule, imposed on the State on February 13, 2025, was revoked nearly a year after on February 4, 2026.
Khemchand took the oath of office and secrecy as Chief Minister at Lok Bhavan, Imphal on February 4, 2026.
Along with him, Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers, and Govindas Konthoujam and Khuraijam Loken were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers.
While the Council of Mi-nisters is expected to have 12 members, no other Ministers have been added yet.
Even the portfolios of the five Ministers including the Chief Minister who took oath on February 4 have not been decided yet.
The delay in the expansion of the Cabinet and the portfolios remaining undecided is affecting the affairs of several departments of the Government, said a highly placed source.
"The delay also points to possible complications within the ruling BJP and its allies regarding distribution of portfolios. Several BJP MLAs are reportedly lobbying for key Ministerial berths with Central leadership," the source said.
While several MLAs are eying to land key posts, several Muslim organisations have urged the Chief Minister to appoint at least one Muslim MLA as a Cabinet Minister.
There "obviously" is lobbying for key posts, which has delayed the Cabinet expansion. Nonetheless, the Government has limited time and is expected to fill the Cabinet in the next few days, said the source.
The term of the newly revived Government is limited. It will expire in about a year with the Assembly elections expected in early 2027. As the time is limited, the Central leadership is expected to fill the Cabinet in the next few days, explained the source.
Notably, President's Rule was imposed on February 13, 2025 for a record 11th time in Manipur after N Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister days earlier on February 9, 2025.
The President's Rule was due to expire on February 13, 2026.
President Droupadi Murmu revoked the President's Rule on February 4, 2026, and the Government under Yumnam Khemchand was formed on the same day.
While four of the five Ministers including the Chief Minister took oath in person at Lok Bhavan Imphal, Nemcha Kipgen took her oath as Deputy Chief Minister virtually from Manipur Bhavan, Sardar Patel Marg,  Delhi.
Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute and Tipaimukh MLA Ngursanglur Sanate attended the oath taking ceremony in person at Lok Bhavan, Imphal.