IMPHAL, April 2: BJP MLAs of Manipur on Tuesday called for a review of the 2001 Census and the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before proceeding with the delimitation exercise in the state.
The party’s legislators convened a meeting to deliberate on the Supreme Court’s directive to the Centre, instructing it to complete the delimitation exercise in Manipur within three months.
The demand for a review of the 2001 Census follows an appeal by 13 other political parties urging the Centre to defer the delimitation process until alleged “errors” in that year’s headcount are corrected.
“In connection with delimitation, we want what the people want. First, the 2001 Census needs to be reviewed,” senior BJP MLA Konthoujam Govindas told reporters after the meeting.
Responding to a query, Govindas, a former minister, emphasized that the NRC is also a crucial factor in the delimitation process.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body representing several Meitei civil society organizations, recently voiced opposition to delimitation before the NRC is implemented in the state. COCOMI claimed that without the removal of illegal immigrants, the process would be detrimental to the interests of indigenous communities.
The nationwide delimitation exercise is scheduled for 2026.
When questioned about the BJP’s proposals regarding delimitation, another party MLA, Yumnam Khemchand, stated, “The draft is being prepared.”
The Supreme Court, in its March 17 ruling, granted the Centre three months to conduct the delimitation exercise in four northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam.
While the Centre informed the court that consultations were ongoing for Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, it cited the prevailing violence in Manipur as a major hindrance to the exercise.
Since May 2023, ethnic clashes between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo communities—who form the majority in the hill districts—have resulted in over 250 deaths and the displacement of thousands of people.
Amid escalating tensions, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The state assembly, which has tenure until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation.
Of the total 37 BJP MLAs in the state, only 12 attended Tuesday’s meeting, all of whom are from the Imphal Valley region.
Asked about the low turnout, a senior BJP leader told PTI, “It was convened hurriedly, and many MLAs are out of station. However, all BJP MLAs support the implementation of the NRC and a review of the 2001 Census before delimitation.”
Earlier, on March 25, at least 13 political parties held a separate meeting on the delimitation exercise.
Following that meeting, NPP state president Y Joykumar informed reporters that it was unanimously resolved that no delimitation should take place until the alleged errors in the 2001 Census are rectified.
Notably, the BJP and Congress abstained from the meeting, which was attended by representatives from the NPP, JD(U), CPI(M), RPI (Athawale), Manipur Peoples’ Party, CPI, TMC, AAP, NCP(SCP), Shiv Sena, BSP, Forward Bloc, and RSP.
