The Chief Ministers of Goa and Manipur are to seek second terms: sources say

Following a series of meetings at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence to discuss the leadership issue, sources in the BJP told NDTV today that Pramod Sawant and N Biren Singh will get second terms.

The two leaders met PM Modi today. Pramod Sawant will be the Chief Minister of Goa and N Biren Singh will lead Manipur.

The oath ceremony will take place after Holi.

In Uttar Pradesh, the leadership was obvious, but there was some uncertainty in Goa and Manipur, where the BJP formed the government despite the Congress winning the most seats.

While the party's outright victory in Manipur and its emergence as the only major party in Goa were considered endorsements of the incumbent, in both states, there were other potential candidates for the post and the possibility of rifts growing should the wrong candidate be chosen.

Among the candidates for the post of Chief Minister in Manipur- where the BJP has not yet officially declared the candidate - was Biswajit Singh. There was also a third candidate, Konthoujam Govindas Singh, who was the state's Congress president.

It is believed that the RSS, the party's ideological mentor, played a major role in his inclusion in the BJP in August 2021.

In Goa, Pramod Sawant was competing with Vishwajit Rane to become its Chief Minister.

Mr Rane reportedly called on the Governor last week, reinforcing the buzz that he is the BJP's pick for the post. Governor Rane, however, dismissed the reports, saying it was a "courtesy visit".

Mr Sawant is said to have the support of the party's state unit.

Going alone, the BJP won 32 of the 60 assembly seats in Manipur. In Goa, the BJP won 20 seats in the 40-member state assembly and reduced the Congress to 11 seats.

The BJP met Prime Minister Modi at his residence on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the formation of governments in four states. The central leadership held multiple rounds of consultations with state leaders to select the best candidate.