Who Is Yumnam Khemchand, the New Chief Minister of Manipur?

Imphal / New Delhi.

BJP legislator Yumnam Khemchand Singh took oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday evening at the state’s Lok Bhavan, hours after the Union Home Ministry issued a notification lifting President’s Rule in the state with immediate effect.

Khemchand Singh was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party on Tuesday in New Delhi. The Manipur BJP announced the swearing-in ceremony through a post on X, expressing confidence that under his “experienced and visionary leadership,” the state would move towards peace, development, and good governance.

Earlier on Wednesday, Khemchand submitted letters of support to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for the formation of a BJP-led NDA government. Senior BJP leaders, including party general secretary Tarun Chugh and Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, were present during the submission.

Why Yumnam Khemchand’s Name Emerged

Khemchand’s elevation comes at a critical time for Manipur, which has witnessed prolonged ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023. His name gained prominence after a widely shared photograph from December last year showed him holding a Kuki tribal child at a relief camp in Ukhrul district — a rare gesture by a Meitei leader amid deep communal divisions.

Political observers say Khemchand is among the few Meitei leaders who still retain some level of acceptability among sections of the Kuki-Zo community, despite widespread mistrust following months of violence.

Senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam told BBC Hindi that consensus within the BJP emerged around Khemchand because the party believed he would face relatively less resistance from the Kuki community and is also regarded as a trusted figure by both the BJP and the RSS.

Mixed Reactions from Kuki-Zo Groups

Kuki Inpi, a major Kuki tribal body, acknowledged Khemchand as a comparatively liberal leader but questioned his role during the peak of violence. Its spokesperson, Lun Kipgen, said the restoration of an elected government without first addressing the trust deficit between communities had surprised the Kuki-Zo population.

However, five of the seven Kuki-Zo BJP MLAs were present during the legislature party meeting that elected Khemchand. During the swearing-in ceremony, Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen, from a Kuki-Zo dominated constituency, took oath as Deputy Chief Minister.

Political Background and Career

Yumnam Khemchand began his political career in 2002 alongside former Chief Minister N Biren Singh as part of the Democratic Revolutionary People’s Party. He later joined the BJP in 2013 and entered the Manipur Assembly in 2017 from the Singjamei constituency.

He served as the first Speaker of Manipur’s BJP-led government and later became a cabinet minister when the party returned to power in 2022. His strong links with the RSS are often cited as a key factor in his rise within the party.

A Teacher and Martial Artist

By profession a teacher, Khemchand is also the first Indian to receive a 5th Dan Black Belt in traditional Taekwondo. He was awarded the certification in Seoul in December 2025 by the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation.

Known for keeping a low public profile, Khemchand has largely avoided media attention during the state’s turbulent period.

Challenges Ahead

With Manipur still socially divided, thousands displaced, and trust severely eroded between communities, analysts say the new government’s foremost task will be restoring confidence, ensuring rehabilitation, and paving the way for lasting peace.

President’s Rule, imposed on February 13 last year, was nearing its deadline, and the restoration of an elected government is seen as a crucial step ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

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