BJP MLAs leave party, join opposition parties in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Jan. 31 (EMN): Sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Pukhrem Sarat Singh on Monday joined the congress party after he was denied a BJP ticket for the upcoming assembly elections on February 27 and March 3.

A reception programme was held at the Congress in Imphal on Monday wherein, former minister Ningthoujam Biren Singh, another aspiring BJP candidate who was also denied the ticket for Sekmai assembly constituency in Imphal along with another intending candidate, N Joykumar Singh of Bishnupur constituency, who also joined the grand old party.

President, N Loken of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), former chief minister and congress legislature party leader, O Ibobi Singh, AICC Manipur-in-charge, Bhakta Charan Das, Congress working committee member, Gaikhangam, senior congress leader, T Mangibabu were present during the reception function.

On Sunday, three BJP sitting MLAs including Sarat Singh of Moirang assembly constituency were not listed in the BJP's candidates list when the ruling party announced its 60 candidate’s names for the polls.

The other two sitting MLAs are M Rameshwar of Kakching constituency and Y Irabot of Wangkhei constituency. However both Rameshwar and Irabot are yet to announce their decisions till the report goes to the press.

While some are busy with the reception programme at Congress Bhavan, five BJP ticket aspirants including two former legislators, who were also denied BJP tickets for the election to the Manipur assembly elections, joined the National People's Party (NPP), a coalition partner of BJP in Manipur government on Monday.

The five candidates are N Mangi (Kumbi), S Subhaschandra (Naoriya Pakhanglakpa), both former legislators, RK Rameshwar (Patsoi), Khaipao Haokip (Saikot) and Nehminthang Haokip (Henglep).

On the other hand, another sitting MLA Ksh Biren of Lamlai assembly constituency along with two former legislators Dr Kh Loken (Sagolband) and Samuel Jendai (Tamenglong) and some of the BJP ticket aspirants including former chief secretary, O Nabakishore (Bishnupur) and former state police chief, LM Khaute joined the Janata Dal (U) to contest in the ensuing elections, according to Hangkhanpau Taithul of JD (U), Manipur.

The joining function of the candidates was attended by JD (U) MP, Ramprit Mandal.