Split from NDA reason for joining BJP: Ex-JDU MLAs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 05 2022:
Four of the five Janata Dal-United (JD-U) MLAs, who merged with BJP a few days back, returned from New Delhi on Monday and explained that they were compelled to join the BJP after JD-U split from the NDA to keep the trust of the people intact.
Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykisan, Tipaimukh MLA Ngursanglur Sanate, Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar and Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute arrived at Imphal Airport at around 1.15 pm along with chief minister N Biren Singh on Monday.
Media persons were unable to get comment from chief minister N Biren Singh on the changing political scenario.
However, former legislative wing leader of JD-U MLA Joykisan informed that they contested as JDU candidates in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election and emerged victorious as people elected them for JD-U was part of the NDA.
There is no option other than to join BJP to keep the trust of the people intact when JD U split from NDA, he said, adding that none of the JDU MLAs who joined BJP have placed any condition while joining.
According to MLA Joykisan, the merger was done as per collective decision of the JDU MLAs and the move was a constitutionally viable one.
It is up to JDU to take up legal action or file election petition against the MLAs but the merger had already been approved by speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, he pointed out.
Regarding MLA Abdul Nasir of Lilong, Joykisan said that the JDU MLA is currently in New Delhi for medical treatment of his father and yet to communicate on the merger.
Replying to a query raised by media persons at Imphal airport, MLA LM Khaute said that joining of JDU MLAs to BJP has set off a new political phase in Manipur and JDU MLAs received mandate of the people as the party was part of NDA.
After JDU split from NDA, JDU MLAs of the state decided to join BJP to keep intact the trust of the people, he said, also iterated that JDU MLAs who joined BJP put no condition including provision for cabinet berth while joining the party.
Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar also said that their merger to BJP is a turning point in the political history of the state as he along with other JDU MLAs were compelled to join BJP after JDU withdrew from NDA.
He said that they received the mandate of the people as JDU was part of NDA and accordingly supported BJP government and decided to join the ruling party after JDU withdrew from NDA.