Mohan Bhagwat’s Surprise Manipur Mission Sparks Political Churn

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RSS chief’s rare three-day visit revives debates over BJP’s Northeast strategy, tribal mistrust, and allegations of Sangh’s behind-the-scenes role in government formation.

By TRH Political Desk

New Delhi, November 23, 2025 — Mohan Bhagwat’s three-day visit to Manipur — his first in nearly three years — has triggered a wave of political speculation in Imphal and New Delhi. As Manish Anand, Editor of The Raisina Hills, explains, the RSS chief’s arrival in a state still scarred by ethnic violence carries heavy political and geopolitical implications.

Bhagwat met civil society groups, community influencers, and RSS cadres during his stay, listening to grievances and urging a return to peace. But it was his blunt public message that set political circles abuzz: “Manipur needs a new government, and it needs one soon.”

The remark is significant because Manipur has remained under President’s Rule since the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, nearly three years after the 2022 ethnic violence that killed over 250 people and displaced thousands. Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled multiple development projects during his recent visit, normalcy has not returned. The state continues to be run through Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Why Bhagwat’s Message Matters

Bhagwat dismissed suggestions that the RSS was influencing the process of forming a new government, but the opposition claims the Sangh is “deeply involved” in behind-the-scenes negotiations. Congress leaders in Manipur argue that Bhagwat’s visit itself signals the Sangh’s hand in shaping political outcomes.

Reports suggest the BJP has been quietly working to assemble a broad-based government that includes Kuki MLAs in an attempt to project inclusivity and address the accusation that the previous government favoured Meitei interests.

Ethnic mistrust still defines Manipur

The core challenge remains the widening gulf between Meitei and Kuki communities. Kuki groups had lost trust in the Biren Singh government, alleging it represented only Meitei interests. Bhagwat’s outreach to Kuki leaders during his visit, Anand notes, carries symbolic weight as he emphasised that “distance between communities must end for peace to return.”

The RSS chief’s call echoes last year’s Vijayadashami speech, when Bhagwat observed that Manipur continued to “wait for peace,” a remark widely interpreted as a message to the Modi government at a time when ties between the BJP and the Sangh appeared strained.

BJP’s electoral setback adds pressure

The BJP suffered a double defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Manipur — losing both seats to the Congress, including the Meitei-dominated Inner Manipur constituency. The results reflected deep anger among both valley and hill communities, reinforcing the urgency for a reset.

A crisis with regional and international dimensions

The Manipur conflict has spilled beyond state borders. Large numbers of displaced Kukis have taken refuge in Mizoram, with whom they share deep clan ties. Meanwhile, instability in Myanmar — where heavy fighting continues along the border — has reportedly pushed thousands more into Mizoram and Manipur, complicating India’s security calculus.

Security analysts argue that restoring peace in Manipur is now a national strategic imperative, not just a state-level concern.

A visit loaded with political meaning

Bhagwat’s return to Manipur, Anand observes, serves multiple purposes:

signalling renewed attention from the Sangh to a region where it has built significant presence over the past decade,
addressing the growing perception that the BJP mishandled the crisis, and
nudging stakeholders toward an inclusive political settlement.

Whether the visit accelerates the formation of a new government or reshapes BJP’s Northeast strategy remains to be seen. But in a traumatised Manipur and a recalibrating New Delhi, Bhagwat’s message has landed with unmistakable weight.