BJP to form govt in Manipur for the first time, N Biren Singh to take oath as CM tomorrow

Imphal: Nongthombam Biren Singh, who was elected leader of BJP Manipur legislature wing on Monday, will be sworn in as the 24th chief minister of Manipur on Wednesday. 

Biren Singh, MLA from Heingang constituency, will be the first BJP chief minister in the northeastern state.

Singh had left the Congress last year after a fallout with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. 

The BJP had on Monday named the 56-year-old as its chief ministerial candidate after the Governor said she was 'satisfied' with the party's numbers. 

Along with Singh, a council of ministers will also take oath in Imphal tomorrow. 

The ceremony will be attended by Union minister Amit Shah and Jitendra Singh. 

The BJP claimed that it enjoyed the support of 32 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur assembly. The Congress had won 28 seats in Manipur while the BJP bagged at least 21 in the results announced on Saturday. 

The National People's Party and the Naga People's Front won four seats each, with the Lok Janshakti Party and the Trinamool Congress securing one seat each.

The BJP's chances to form the government in Manipur increased significantly after NPP and LJP extended their support to the saffron party unanimously.