IMPHAL, Nov 12: Political circles in Manipur were abuzz with speculation on Wednesday as senior BJP leaders B.L. Santosh, National General Secretary (Organisation), and Dr. Sambit Patra, National Spokesperson and Northeast In-Charge, arrived in Imphal amid mounting talk of possible government formation in the state.
The two leaders landed at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport around 11:30 a.m. and were warmly received by BJP Manipur President A. Sharda Devi, along with several party functionaries, workers, and supporters. Their visit comes at a politically charged moment, with growing anticipation over the party’s next move following the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections.
The arrival of Santosh and Patra has sparked speculation that the BJP’s central leadership may be preparing to take key decisions regarding Manipur’s political future. Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh added to the intrigue earlier, describing the visit as “not an ordinary one,” and hinting that it could signal a significant development for the state.
“After a long gap, a BJP national-level general secretary is visiting Manipur for a two-to three-day stay along with the party’s Northeast in-charge. In my opinion, this will not be an ordinary visit. Let’s hope for the best,” Biren Singh had remarked on November 9.
The timing of the visit is notable. Several BJP MLAs had earlier linked the formation of a popular government in Manipur to the completion of the Bihar polls, suggesting that the party high command might soon move toward resolving the state’s prolonged political limbo.
Party sources indicated that during their two-day stay, Santosh and Patra are expected to hold a series of closed-door meetings with state BJP leaders, MLAs, and key stakeholders to assess the political situation. The duo is also likely to visit Churachandpur, viewed as a strategic outreach effort to gauge conditions across districts.
