New Manipur CM, A 5th Dan Taekwondo, Compares Politics With Martial Arts, Sets 'Peace' Goals After Swearing-In

Imphal: Shortly after his swearing-in ceremony, new Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh acknowledged that the road ahead for him was not smooth, as he compared his journey to becoming a "good" Taekwondo player with his journey now as head of the northeastern state that has been mired in conflict for years.

A 5th Dan Taekwondo exponent (which implies a significant mastery over martial arts), Khemchand Singh was asked how different it was being in the ring and now occupying the hot seat.

"...when you practice Taekwondo, you want to become a good Taekwondo player, so there are difficulties there too, so there will be difficulties in politics as well," the new CM said. In December 2025, Singh became the first Indian to receive the 5th Dan black belt in the traditional taekwondo art style, as he received the certificate from the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation (GTTF) in Seoul.

Manipur, he said, will be a vital contributor to the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' goal and the new government will work for a "peaceful" atmosphere in the state.

"Manipur consists of 36 communities and has been managed by these communities. So, the sense of participation that they are giving, we hope that it will greatly help in bringing a peaceful atmosphere," he said.

"For a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the growth that the nation is supposed to achieve, we have been given the responsibility to ensure Manipur also plays its part," the new CM added.

The former Assembly Speaker and BJP Minister, Singh was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday evening. The swearing-in came a day after the BJP announced in New Delhi that the 61-year-old Meitei community leader will be the new Legislature Party Leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Singh and others who took the oath as ministers and said the newly formed Manipur government will work diligently to accelerate development and ensure prosperity for the people.

"Congratulations to Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur. I would like to congratulate Smt. Nemcha Kipgen Ji and Shri Losii Dikho Ji on taking oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers of the state, and Shri Konthoujam Govindas Singh Ji, as well as Shri Khuraijam Loken Singh Ji, on being sworn in as Ministers in the Manipur Government. I’m confident they will work diligently towards furthering development and prosperity for my sisters and brothers of Manipur,” the Prime Minister said in his post on X.

Thanking the Prime Minister, Singh said he would work with "utmost diligence" to advance development and prosperity in Manipur.

"I reaffirm my commitment to work with utmost diligence to advance development and prosperity in Manipur, aligning our collective efforts with the vision of Viksit Bharat," he wrote in his reply.

Soon after taking oath at the Lok Bhavan, Singh, while speaking to the media, said that he would make every effort to live up to the trust reposed in him by Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President Nitin Nabin.

Earlier, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new Chief Minister, two Deputy Chief Ministers, and two other ministers at a ceremony at the Lok Bhavan.

The other ministers who took oath are Nemcha Kipgen and Govindas Konthoujam -- both from the BJP, Loishi Dikho of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), and Khuraijam Loken Singh of the National People’s Party. Former minister Nemcha Kipgen took the oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi as Deputy Chief Minister.

The lone woman minister so far belongs to the Kuki tribal community. Dikho of the NPF also took the oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.The Khemchand Singh-led ministry will be expanded later as the berths of seven ministers are still vacant.

The BJP's newly appointed Central observer, Tarun Chugh, the party’s Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, former Chief Minister Biren Singh, Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, a few MLAs, and a host of top dignitaries were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

President's rule in Manipur was revoked on Wednesday, hours before the formation of a new state government.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of article 356 of the Constitution, I, Droupadi Murmu, President of India hereby revoke the Proclamation issued by me under the said article on the 13th day of February, 2025, in relation to the State of Manipur with effect from the 4th day of February, 2026," a Proclamation issued by the President said.

The northeastern state had been under the President's rule since February 13, 2025. President's rule was imposed in the state after the BJP-led government headed by Biren Singh resigned on February 9 last year, following months of ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities.

The 60-member assembly, which has tenure till 2027, was put on suspended animation after President's rule was imposed.

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