Ministry expansion after State mourning ?
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 22 2026: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand today held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and reportedly finalised the list of MLAs who would be inducted into the Council of Ministers as well as the portfolios to be given to the Ministers.

However another source said that nothing substantive on the Ministry expansion was discussed.

Together with Deputy Chief Ministers Losii Dikho and Nemcha Kipgen, Yumnam Khemchand and Amit Shah talked about expansion of Khemchand's Council of Ministers and distribution of portfolios at New Delhi at around 5.30 pm today.

Some other BJP Central leaders were also present at the meeting.

Ministry expansion after State mourning ?

On X, Yumnam Khemchand posted, "Had the privilege to call on Hon'ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah Ji, today in New Delhi, accompanied by Hon'ble Deputy Chief Ministers Smt Nemcha Kipgen and Shri L Dikho.

We had a detailed and constructive discussion on key issues concerning Manipur, including measures for peace, stability, rehabilitation and progress.

Hon'ble HM conveyed his firm assurance that the Union Government will extend every possible assistance to ensure the early resettlement and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) .

On behalf of the people of Manipur, I express my sincere gratitude to Hon'ble HM for his continued support, guidance, and commitment towards the welfare of our State" .

Sources said that the MLAs who would be inducted into the Council of Ministers would be sworn in after Khemchand returns from New Delhi.

However, names of the MLAs who would be inducted into the Council of Ministers have not been divulged yet.

As the Government announced a three-day State mourning in honour of MLA Vungzagin Valte from February 22 to 24, the swearing-in ceremony may not take place till February 24 .

The new Ministers may be sworn in either on February 26 or 27 and their portfolios may be announced on the same day, said the sources.

Apart from expansion of the Council of Ministers and distribution of portfolios, Khemchand and Amit Shah also talked about the current law and order situation in Manipur and the measures taken up by the new State Government for resettlement of IDPs .

The Chief Minister also appealed to the Central Government to provide additional funds toward resettlement and rehabilitation of IDPs, the sources added.

The Union Home Minister discussed with the three Manipuri leaders about the steps taken up by the new Government to remove the barriers between different communities.

Amit Shah assured the three Manipuri leaders all possible help from the Central Government to bring peace and normalcy in the State.

The Union Home Minister further assured the Chief Minister that all necessary help will be provided by the Centre for the overall development and progress of Manipur.

Amit Shah also directed the Chief Minister to give utmost importance to the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and assured all possible help in this task.

Notably, Yumnam Khemchand was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 4, 2026 along with Losii Dikho and Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Ministers.

MLAs Govindas Konthoujam and Khuraijam Loken were also sworn in as Cabinet Ministers on the same day.

The State should have 12 Ministers.

As such, seven Ministerial berths are still vacant.

Even though the Chief Minister was sworn in on February 4, the vacant Ministerial berths have not been filled up till date nor have any portfolios been allotted to the Ministers already sworn in .