The Congress on Tuesday replaced its Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee chief to avoid what might have been another government crisis for the party. The Indian Express reported that 25 Congress MLAs had earlier revolted against Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, and plunged the government into chaos. The legislators had demanded a cabinet reshuffle, which they claimed Singh had promised halfway through his term. The Congress won the last state election in 2014.

The rebel legislators had also demanded the removal of the state chief Gaikhangam Gangmei, who also holds the deputy chief minister post. TN Haokip replaced Gangmei as the PCC president. Congress state leader V Narayanasamy said the rebel MLAs were not against the chief minister, and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of playing a “dirty game” and trying to make trouble in the state. The party has accused the BJP of doing its best to topple Congress governments in other states.

The rebel MLAs reportedly said they were not against Singh, but wanted the state chief to be sacked and asked for a cabinet reshuffle. The Congress has been struggling with its state governments of late, with both the Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh Assemblies caught in major political tussles.