Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to Manipur, former chief minister N Biren Singh and 22 other BJP MLAs held a meeting with governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday, fuelling speculation about the formation of a new government in the state currently under President's rule.

The PM is likely to visit Manipur on September 13. He is expected to first arrive at Churachandpur to meet people displaced by ethnic violence, before flying to the state capital, Imphal.

During Sunday's meeting at the Raj Bhavan, the governor and the BJP MLAs led by Biren Singh and state party chief A Sharda Devi reportedly discussed Modi's proposed visit. Also present was T Satyabrata, considered to be a contender for the CM's post along with Biren Singh.

The governor sought cooperation of the legislators to make the visit successful, an MLA who attended the meeting said. In anticipation of the PM's visit, a grand stage is being set up at Kangla Fort in the heart of the state capital. Several workers are engaged for construction and beautification activities in the area.

A senior state official said: "Arrangements are being made to accommodate more than 15,000 people in front of the makeshift stage. The road from the Imphal airport to the Kangla Fort is also being repaired and beautified, and trees are being trimmed."