Imphal, July 18: The BJP on Saturday launched a political outreach campaign in Manipur’s lone Muslim-majority Lilong Assembly constituency, signalling an attempt to expand its support base as the state continues to grapple with ethnic violence that has persisted for over three years.

The party kicked off a one-day mandal-level workers’ conference in Lilong, Thoubal district, with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh using the occasion to reiterate his government’s commitment to restoring peace and rebuilding trust among communities.

Addressing party workers, Singh said his foremost priority since assuming office has been to reunite the people of Manipur, alleging that “vested interests” were trying to sabotage the government’s peace efforts.

“I firmly believe there are certain vested interests who do not want peace to return in the state. They are attempting to derail the peace initiatives undertaken by the government,” he said, adding that “God will not forgive those who want to break peace in Manipur.”

The Chief Minister also paid tribute to Mohammed Alimuddin, Manipur’s first Chief Minister after the state attained full statehood in 1972 and a former MLA from Lilong, describing him as a leader who believed in communal harmony and peaceful coexistence.

Highlighting the government’s reconciliation efforts, Singh recalled his two visits to violence-hit Jiribam district, where he met internally displaced persons and bereaved families from both the Meitei and Hmar communities. During a subsequent road visit, he interacted with representatives of the Kuki, Hmar, Paite, Meitei, Meitei Muslim and Rongmei Naga communities.

The BJP’s decision to launch its outreach campaign from Lilong, the state’s only Muslim-majority constituency, is being seen as a politically significant move as the party seeks to broaden its reach while projecting reconciliation and peace amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur.