O Joy quits MPP
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 23 2014 : As a big blow to the State's oldest regional political party, Manipur People's Party after its massive defeat in the last State Legislative Assembly election, veteran politician and ex-MLA of Langthabal Assembly Constituency Okram Joy has quit from the party today.

He along with his son Okram Debendra (former General Secretary of MPP) and President of MPP Youth Front Sagolsem Ronal Meetei tendered their resignation from the party's primary membership to President N Sovakiran this afternoon.

In a very short resignation letter addressed to the MPP President, O Joy said, "As I have been compelled to leave the Party, I have tendered my resignation from the membership of Central Committee and primary level of the party w.e.f today [sic]" .

Okram Joy

In an exclusive interview with Hueiyen Lanpao at his Kakwa Huidrom Leikai residence this evening, the former President and Leader of Legislature Wing of MPP O Joy said that his resignation from the MPP would not be the end of his political career.

He would continue to join active politics to enhance regionalism in the national political outlook.

This veteran politician who joined MPP way back in 1973, however, declined to reveal the exact reasons for leaving the party.

But indirectly, Joy disclosed about his next political venture.

He said that he is ready to join a political party with regional characteristics after consulting with his supporters and well-wishers.

He further said that the decision of joining a new political party would be taken before the coming Lok Sabha polls and he would campaign actively for the election if a candidate of his choice comes up.

Joy proudly exclaimed that he had been MLA of Langthabal A/C seven times, Minister of State Government four times and Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly once.

Moreover, he had been successful in ousting six Ministers of the State in the Parliamentary Debates besides delivering punishment to many erring Government officials.

He further said that he worked as an Upper Division Clerk (UDC) in State Public Works Department before joining politics.

Upon pressure from the people of Langthabal Constituency on him to contest the assembly election, he quit his job and ventured into politics.

Joy said he was inspired by nonagenarian politician and ex-Chief Minister Rishang Keishing in his childhood days.

He had once listened to Rishang's public speech while he was in 5th standard.

Then in his 7th standard, he joined the Socialist Party and became General Secretary of the local unit of Socialists Party.

His father, mother, wife, sons and other family members were active members of MPP.

But today, all of them have left the party.

His grandson had even cried when the Election Commission of India seized the MPP's symbol, the ex-legislator told Hueiyen Lanpao while sharing his unforgettable ties with MPP.

Joy said, "I feel quite sad to leave this party.

But, circumstances compel me to do so" .

Many parties like Congress, BJP, Trinamool and Bahujan Samaj Party have indirectly approached him to join their parties.

But as of now, he has not taken any decision.

He has been in the opposition for several decades and has shown the young politicians the ways of being a responsible opposition leader.

And now, his desire is to show to the people how a state is ruled, the resigned MPP leader added.