Putting an end to days of uncertainty in the state over government formation, Nongthombam Biren Singh on Wednesday took charge as Manipur’s 24th chief minister at the Raj Bhavan, the state’s first ever BJP-led government.
Earlier in the day, Governor Najma Heptullah had administered the oath of office to Biren and eight cabinet ministers, including Yumnam Joykumar as the deputy chief minister.
This is the first time that the BJP has come to power in the state, which had otherwise been a Congress bastion.
Biren Singh was elected unanimously as the leader of the BJP legislature party, and had staked claim to form the government after meeting the Governor on Tuesday.
Earlier state Governor Najma Haptullah had invited the BJP-led coalition under Singh to form the next government in the state after being assured of requisite support from regional parties and Independents.
Since March 11, the day of the results, both the Congress and the BJP have claimed support to form the next government. Although the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 28 MLAs, the BJP, with 21 MLAs, claims to have the support of NPP (4), NPF (4), LJP (1), and three others.