MLA K Shyam, intending candidates likely to join BJP
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 03 2021:
As the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly is drawing nearer, many political parties in the state are busy "recruiting" candidates in every assembly constituency with potential for winning.
BJP too, has been making preparations to enroll candidates including sitting MLAs.
According to reliable sources, Langthabal AC MLA Karam Shyam, who had contested the last polls on Lok Janshakti Party (LIP) ticket, is likely to leave the party to join BJP.
It is speculated that he would resign from the MLA post after the Ningol Chakkouba festival on November 6 and join BJP.
It may be noted that at present, two intending candidates in Langthabal AC are currently righting for BJP ticket and campaigning for the election.
Thangjam Arunkumar, who has been campaigning for the upcoming election in Wangkhei AC is also likely to join the saffron party within short notice while another intending candidate Lourembam Sanjoy in Andro AC is also eyeing to contest on BJP ticket.
It may also be mentioned here that there is BJP MLA Yumkham Erabot in Wangkhei AC.
His predecessor Okram Henry, who had contested the previous election as Congress candidate, is presently campaigning to be the BJP candidate for the upcoming polls.
With regard to Andro AC, former MLA Th Shyamkumar, who had defected to BJP from Congress, is also preparing to contest the polls next year.
With the aim of obtaining absolute majority in the upcoming polls, BJP is busy "recruiting' candidates in all 60 assembly constituencies of the state so as to ensure the formation of a BJP-only government.
Moirang AC ex-MLA M Prithviraj, who had been a member of Indian National Congress Party, had already joined the BJP camp alongside sitting BJP MLA P Saratchandra.
Although it still remains uncertain how the party is planning to give the tickets, CM N Biren had given a clue on the matter, by mentioning that there is no guarantee of the sitting MLAs getting the party ticket if there is any sign of the people not supporting them.
This could be taken as a pre-announcement of the party's decision regarding the ticket distribution process and also to serve as a cautionary to the MLAs, sources conveyed.