Biren, Sharda welcome JD-U MLAs; Nadda today
Merger of JD-U legislator shows growing trust in PM Modi's government: CM N Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 03 2022: Chief minister N Biren and BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda formally welcomed the five former Janata Dal-United (JD-U) MLAs, who merged with BJP, in New Delhi on Saturday.

Sharing the photos of the reception ceremony held in the national capital on his social media accounts, CM Biren said that different prominent personalities and MLAs are continuously joining BJP over the past few years.

The merger of five JD-U MLAs into the party shows the growing trust people in the Modi government.

"This merger shows the love and trust entrusted by people in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nadda," the CM said.

Meanwhile, BJP national president JP Nadda would be felicitating the five new entrants at the party's national office in the national capital on Sunday.

The party earlier planned to felicitate the five MLAs on Saturday but as JP Nadda would be arriving in Delhi from Haryana late Saturday night, the programme had to be rescheduled on Sunday.

Apart from the CM and the state BJP president, some BJP ministers are also currently in New Delhi to attend the felicitation programme.

The joining the five MLAs came weeks after the Nitish Kumar-led JD (U) broke its alliance with the NDA in Bihar and became the Chief Minister of the Mahagathbandhan government.

Speculations were rife that the JD (U) will break its ties with the BJP in Manipur.

However, out of the six, five JD (U) legislators jumped ship to the BJP on Friday.

The five legislators are Khumukcham Joykisan of Thangmeiband AC, Ngursanglur Sanate of Tipaimukh AC, Md Ashab Uddin of Jiribam AC, Thangjam Arunkumar of Wangkhei AC and LM Khaute of Churachandpur AC.

Notably, the lone legislator belonging to the JD (U) is Md Abdul Nasir of Lilong AC.

In a statement issued by Manipur Legislative Assembly secretary K Meghajit Singh on Friday, the speaker accepted the resignation of the five MLAs under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress in Manipur has termed the defection of the five JD(U) MLAs as 'unconstitutional' and said that the act itself attracts disqualification under the Constitution of India.

"5 JD(U) MLAs out of the 6 JD (U) MLAs from Manipur merging with the BJP is not only unconstitutional, but the act also attracts disqualification under the Constitution of India," tweeted Manipur unit Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei.

"There will be a move to High Court to disqualify them.

Save Constitution, Save Democracy," he added.

BJP sources said it was not decided yet to accommodate the 5 legislators in any government positions.

In the February March assembly election, the JD-U had won six seats in the 60 member assembly and extended their support to the BJP government headed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

With the merger of 5 JD-U MLAs, the BJP's strength has increased to 37 .

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