Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party, Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], has dismissed its Manipur chief, Ksh Biren Singh, after he sent a letter to the Governor announcing that the JD(U) had withdrawn its support from the BJP-led state government.

The JD(U) has only one MLA in the Manipur Assembly, Md Abdul Nasir. Of the six JD(U) candidates who won in the February-March 2022 assembly elections, five later defected to the ruling BJP.

The controversy began when Ksh Biren Singh issued a statement declaring that the party’s sole MLA in Manipur would now be considered an Opposition member in the assembly. In response, the JD(U) central leadership clarified that Singh’s decision to withdraw support from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was taken without consulting the party’s top leaders. The party also stated that its MLA would not sit with the Opposition in the assembly.

Singh further highlighted that the disqualification trial under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution for the five defected MLAs is still pending before the Speaker’s tribunal.

Currently, the BJP holds 37 seats in Manipur’s 60-member assembly, supported by five MLAs from the Naga People’s Front and three independents.

Nationally, the JD(U), which won 12 seats in this year’s general elections, has been a key ally in helping the BJP secure a majority after its seat count fell. The BJP and JD(U) also maintain an alliance in Bihar, where assembly elections are scheduled later this year.

Nitish Kumar, known for shifting alliances across the political spectrum, rejoined the NDA last year after a brief stint as a significant figure in the Opposition bloc INDIA.