Imphal : A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command summoned Manipur MLAs to New Delhi, speculation over the formation of an elected government intensified on Saturday as legislators were seen making a beeline for Imphal Airport.

Since morning, BJP MLAs have been departing for the national capital following the summons, signalling urgency within the party ranks. Sources said that at least 22 legislators had flown to Delhi by the time this report was filed.

Several MLAs were seen hurrying through the airport, including S. Kebi, L. Shushindro and Thongam Biswajit, who reportedly arrived late for their flight. The sudden spurt in political activity has fuelled expectations of a possible breakthrough in the prolonged political impasse, with several BJP legislators expressing hope that a new, popular government could soon be formed in the state.

Former chief minister N. Biren Singh, speaking to reporters before leaving for Delhi, said he was hopeful of a positive outcome. “Let us see. I am expecting a positive outcome for a better Manipur from the meeting. I hope the Central Government will take some positive decisions,” he said, adding that clarity would emerge only after discussions with the party’s central leadership.

BJP sources said Biren Singh continues to be one of the strongest contenders for the chief minister’s post if a new government is formed. At the same time, internal dynamics within the party have come into focus, with two apparent groups said to have emerged – one led by Biren Singh and the other by Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh. Sources indicated that MLAs Y. Khemchand, K. Robindro and L. Rameshor Meitei, among others, are backing the Speaker’s camp.

Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh said that, to his knowledge, all MLAs had been invited for the meeting. “All MLAs, including Kuki-Zo MLAs, have been invited,” he told reporters.

Echoing the sentiment, BJP MLA Paonam Brozen said the legislators were responding to a party summons. “We were called by the party yesterday. We are all going to the party headquarters in Delhi and are expecting something better. I have heard that Kuki-Zo MLAs are also invited,” he said.

Adding to the optimism, BJP MLA Ushyam Deben said he believed a popular government could be formed by December. MLA K. Joykishan said the formation of an elected government would be the central agenda of the proposed meetings. When asked about any preconditions, he remarked, “How can we set preconditions to our high command?”

Striking a more cautious note, BJP MLA Y. Khemchand said peace remained his foremost concern. “Peace is the main agenda for me. I do not know whether a new government will be formed,” he said.

Senior party leaders, however, remained tight-lipped about the exact agenda of the Delhi meetings.

The developments have reignited political discussions across Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule amid prolonged ethnic unrest. On December 12, Biren Singh had informed the media that the party’s Northeast coordinator, Sambit Patra, had personally contacted most MLAs, instructing them to be present at a meeting in Delhi, reportedly scheduled for 5.30 pm.

As the Manipur BJP leadership converges on the national capital, all eyes are now on the outcome of the high-level deliberations and whether they will pave the way for the return of an elected government in the state.