In 1934, Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha (NMM) was established by Hijam Irabot with the-then Maharajah Churachand Singh as president.
[1] By 1938 it had become a prominent political front advocating the democratization of the powers held by the Darbar [Council] and an overhaul of the corrupt colonial administration.
In a letter written to Irabot in April, NMM made it clear that it sympathised with the Indian National Congress and that it was anti-communist.
[8] In a submission to the British Cabinet Mission, NMM is said to have proposed a 'united kingdom' for the whole of India with the central government controlling defence, finance, trade, communications, road and transport, taxes and foreign policy.
[15] The Haripura annual session in 1938 passed a resolution confirming the long-standing policy of non-involvement in the affairs of the princely states, but individual members were not barred from getting involved in their personal capacity.
[16] It appears that both NMM and the Manipur State Congress after its formation, were members of the AISPC, and these links extended back to the days of Irabot's leadership.
[18][a] The Manipur State Congress was formed on 4 October 1946, in a meeting convened at the Aryan Theatre in Imphal, with the agenda of bringing together all the political parties on a common platform so that pressure could be mounted on the Maharaja for responsible government.
[c] On 11 August 1947, the Maharaja acceded to the Indian Union and also signed a standstill agreement to continue the existing arrangements as present under the British rule.
[26] The President of Manipur State Durbar was replaced by a chief minister, Maharaja's brother M. K. Priyobrata Singh being appointed to the post.
[27] The formation of the Interim Council split the Manipur State Congress, with an opposing faction formed under the leadership of Elangbam Tompok Singh.