As per the Constitution of India, the governor is a state's de jure head, but de facto executive authority rests with the chief minister.

Following elections to the Manipur Legislative Assembly, the state's governor usually invites the party (or coalition) with a majority of seats to form the government.

Given that he has the confidence of the assembly, the chief minister's term is for five years and is subject to no term limits.

[1] Since 1963, twenty people have served as chief minister of manipur.

Five of these belonged to the Indian National Congress, including the inaugural officeholder Mairembam Koireng Singh.