Imphal, Mar 15: Amidst the reports of the number of aspirants for the Chief Minister’s post, caretaker Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and powerful leader Thongam Biswajit Singh on Tuesday went to Delhi to discuss the leadership issue with the central leaders.

The Parliamentary Board of the BJP on Monday appointed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju as central observers to select the legislature party leader in Manipur.

A top BJP leader said that the central leaders called Biren Singh and Biswajit Singh to Delhi for preliminary discussion on the leadership issue.

“In presence of other central leaders, after meeting with Biren Singh and Biswajit Singh, Sitharaman and Rijiju might come to Imphal to discuss with other BJP MLAs and leaders to finalise the name of legislature party leader,” the BJP leader said under the case of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Manipur BJP Vice-President Ch Chidananda, refuting the local media reports, strongly denied that there are a number of aspirants for the CM’s post.

Biswajit Singh was the second-in-command in the outgoing BJP government after Chief Minister and he was the first BJP MLA in Manipur in 2015.

Biren Singh won from his traditional Heingang assembly constituency for the record 5th time while Biswajit Singh was elected to the assembly fourth times from Thongju seat.

The ruling BJP retained power for the second consecutive term and for the first time in Manipur the saffron party got the absolute majority on its own by winning 32 seats in the 60-member house.

BJP’s erstwhile ally National People’s Party (NPP) secured seven seats while Janata Dal (United) won six seats, the Congress and the Naga People Front bagged five seats each, Kuki People’s Alliance, a newly floated tribal based party, managed two seats and three Independent candidates also got elected to the Assembly.

The NPF, JD (U) and an independent member announced their support to the BJP government.

For the first time in the electoral and parliamentary history of Manipur, highest number of five women members were also elected, including three of BJP and two NPP.

Biren Singh on Friday resigned from his post and the Governor asked him to continue in his office until the new government takes charge.

There is no confirmation yet as to when the next Chief Minister would be chosen, or when the new BJP-led government would assume office.