The stage is set for the formation of a popular government in ethnic strife-hit Manipur with the BJP legislature party in the state electing Y Khemchand Singh (62) as their leader.A two-time MLA (2017 and 2022) from Singjamei constituency, Khemchand is a popular Meitei leader, a former Speaker of the Manipur Assembly and a minister in the last N Biren Singh-led government. A former Biren loyalist, Khemchand later turned against the former CM, building maximum pressure on the central BJP leadership to replace him.Nemcha Kipgen, a woman leader and a representative of the Kuki tribal community, would be the Deputy CM, sources said.BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh oversaw the election of the BJP legislature party leader at a meeting of all MLAs at the BJP headquarters. Late night, a meeting of MLAs of all NDA partners would be held in Delhi where the names of the CM-elect and Deputy CM-elect will be stamped by all partners. The Meitei and Kuki combination in the leadership roles in Manipur is a calibrated BJP move to calm ethnic tensions that first erupted between the two communities in May 2023.The government formation will need to take place before February 13, the day of expiry of President’s rule. Parliament had last approved the statutory resolution regarding the extension of President’s rule in Manipur for a further period of six months with effect from August 13, 2025.The BJP has 37 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. Six MLAs belong to the National People’s Party (NPP), five to Naga People’s Front (NPF), five to the Congress, two to the Kuki People’s Alliance and one to the Janata Dal (United). Three MLAs are Independents and one seat is vacant following the death of a sitting MLA. The NPF and the NPP are part of the NDA in Manipur.The government formation in the state will cap months of consultations the government has held with Meitei and Kuki MLAs of the party to find a meeting ground.