Bhalla summons BJP leaders, MLAs for crucial meet at Raj Bhavan
Imphal being decked up for 'Sep 13 date'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 06 2025: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has scheduled a crucial meeting with BJP legislators and BJP Manipur president A Sharda Devi at Raj Bhavan tomorrow at 11 am, following his recent meeting with Central leadership in New Delhi.

The meeting comes amid heightened preparations for the anticipated visit by a VVIP, widely speculated to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Governor left Imphal for New Delhi on September 2 and returned to Imphal yesterday after holding meetings with the Central leadership.

According to a well-placed source, the BJP MLAs and A Sharda Devi were invited to the meeting by the Governor's Secretariat via telephone.

However, the purpose of the meeting was not disclosed to the BJP leaders.

Bhalla summons BJP leaders, MLAs for crucial meet at Raj Bhavan

The source maintained that the meeting may be related to the speculated visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September.

It is reported that the State authorities have been making extensive preparations for the high-profile WIP visit, and the meeting is likely aimed at ensuring its success.

Another highly reliable source said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is highly likely to arrive in Manipur on September 13 after inaugurating the Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line in Mizoram earlier that day.

While official confirmation regarding the VVIP's identity remains pending, the speculation around Prime Minister Modi's visit has intensified, given the scale of preparations observed in Imphal.

Authorities have ramped up security measures, and local administration is on high alert to ensure the event proceeds without any disruption.

According to the second source, the Prime Minister might have cancelled the visit had there been issues with extending the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact and ensuring free movement on the Imphal-Dimapur road.

The source further stated that the Prime Minister will attend the Bhupen Hazarika birth centenary celebrations in Guwahati, Assam, on September 13 .

From there, he will travel by helicopter to Aizawl, Mizoram, arriving around 10.30 am to inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line.

Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister will proceed by helicopter to Churachandpur, Manipur, before noon to attend a high-profile public event at Churachandpur Peace Ground.

He will then travel to Imphal's Kangla, arriving around 1.30 pm.

It is also reported that the flight carrying the Prime Minister to Guwahati will land at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal as he is scheduled to depart from Imphal at around 2.30 pm.

Kangpokpi based Kuki civil society organisations are also expected to attend the event at Churachandpur.

Meanwhile, according to PTI, a grand stage is being erected at Kangla Fort, while cleaning and painting activities are underway in the area in view of the Prime Minister's likely visit to the State next week, officials said on Saturday.

They remained tight-lipped over the objective of the construction and cleaning works at the fort, but said that instructions had been given to complete these tasks at the earliest.

The Prime Minister is likely to visit Manipur on September 13, which will be his first tour to the State since ethnic violence broke out between Meiteis and Kukis.

"A grand stage is under construction at Kangla Fort in Imphal.

Arrangements are being made to accomodate more than 15,000 people in front of the stage.

Cleaning and painting activities inside the fort are also going on," an official said.

Kangla Fort serves as the traditional seat of power of the former Manipuri rulers.

"Materials for the construction of the stage are being imported from outside Manipur, and more than 100 labourers are being engaged in the construction activities.

Also, there is an increased presence of security personnel," another official said.

Identities of visitors entering the fort are being registered, he said.

Road medians on a 7 km stretch between Imphal airport and Kangla Fort are also being repainted and trees trimmed, the official said.

"We are yet to receive any official information on the PM's visit.

If he comes, we are going to ensure that Modi is given a grand reception," a BJP leader told PTI.

In Churachandpur district headquarters, such works are also underway at the Peace ground, another official said.

The Opposition parties have been attacking the BJP for the Prime Minister not visiting the ethnic strife-tom State.

More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023 .

The Centre had imposed President's Rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned.

The State Assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.