India, Feb. 3 -- With President's Rule continuing in Manipur for nearly a year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun the process of restoring an elected government following the resignation of N. Biren Singh amid ethnic violence in the state.

Signalling the start of the exercise to choose a new Chief Minister, the BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Tarun Chugh, the party's National General Secretary, as Central Observer for the election of the BJP Legislature Party leader in Manipur. The move is widely seen as a precursor to government formation, according to a statement issued by the party leadership.

Although a much-anticipated meeting between BJP central leaders and Manipur BJP MLAs scheduled in New Delhi on Monday did not t...