PM, top BJP leaders congratulate Biren Singh; Nagaland gets ‘woman MP’

While BJP has formed the government on its own for the first time in Manipur, it has sent BJP women wing chief S Phangnon Konyak to Rajya Sabha, making her the second woman MP from the state.

New Delhi: March 21, 2022, would be remembered by BJP in the northeast with much pride and satisfaction. In Manipur, BJP got a government of its own-having won 32 seats in the 60-member assembly. This is no small achievement as in 2012, BJP's vote share in Manipur was merely 2.

"Congratulations to Shri @NBirenSingh Ji on being sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Manipur. I am confident his team and he would take Manipur to newer heights of progress and continue the good work done in the last five years," PM tweeted.

For his part, N Biren Singh, after being sworn in as chief minister for the second term, asserted that it is the resolve of his new
government to deliver a corruption-free, drug-free and violence-free Manipur.

"… It is the resolve of our new Govt. to deliver a corruption free, drug free and violence free Manipur. We will always be grateful for
your guidance all throughout," Biren said in reply to a tweet from BJP national general secretary (Org) B L Santhosh.

Mr Santhosh had congratulated Biren Singh wrote: "Your resolve of building Corruption free , Drug free and Violence free Manipur will
take the state on the path of development."

Several Union Ministers and central leaders complimented him. While BJP chief J P Nadda attended the swearing-in ceremony, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "I am confident that Biren Singh's his team under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi Ji will continue to serve the people of Manipur with renewed energy and devotion. Praying for state's progress and prosperity."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the chief minister will continue to work diligently for the development and bright future of Manipur.

Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani also complimented Biren Singh.

Ms Irani, who had campaigned in Manipur, said, "My best wishes to you as you continue to take Manipur to greater heights under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi Ji."

Others who wished Biren included Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

Biren was sworn in as chief minister for the second straight term on Monday along with five other minister designates – Thongam Biswajit Singh, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Nemcha Kipgen and Awangbow Newmai.

In Nagaland, BJP women wing chief S Phangnon Konyak has become the first woman Rajya Sabha MP from the state. The election was slated for March 31, but Konyak was 'elected unopposed'. 

Fielding its state women's wing chief for the Rajya Sabha polls may not seem much of a surprise in the rest of India. But it is a path-breaking move in Nagaland, where patriarchy and male chauvinism rule politics. Nagaland has never elected a woman to its state legislative assembly.

In 1997, during the Congress regime, the state assembly passed a unanimous official resolution opposing the much talked about women quota bill.