Will press NOTA button, says BJP spokesman Bijoy
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 05 2022:
BJP Manipur Pradesh chief spokesperson Chongtham Bijoy has announced that he will not contest election but will exercise his franchise right by pressing the None of the Above (NOTA) button in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
Bijoy had been preparing to contest the election from Uripok assembly constituency on BJP ticket but was denied ticket.
Announcing his decision to pull out from the election this time and cast vote by pressing the NOTA option in the EVM during a press conference at his Lamphel residence on Saturday, Chongtham Bijoy said that he joined BJP in the year 1994 as he was deeply rooted to party's ideology and fascinated by quality of party leaders during that time and contested election for the first time under party's ticket in 1995."After this, I sought BJP ticket for the upcoming assembly election with the sole agenda of changing the mindset of the people that election could also be fought without money and to encourage more quality and dedicated candidates to come out and fight election in 2027", he said adding that there are many good candidates but they are hesitant to fight election due to the money factor.
While asserting that he not will contest election this time as party has denied ticket but will not leave the party, Bijoy said that BJP is his life and will continue to work for the party all the time.
"Nevertheless, I will not cast my vote in favour of BJP candidate in Uripok but would press the NOTA button", he reiterated and also declared that he will not do anything that could be detrimental to party's nominee as per strict instruction of CM N Biren, BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda and national leader Sambit Patra.
While alleging that the selected BJP candidate tarnished his political image by uploading a derogatory remark against him on social media which went viral, Bijoy said that he will seek legal action against the candidate at the personal level as party did not initiate action against the BJP candidate.
Regarding the upcoming election, Bijoy appealed to voters to cast their votes for national parties of their choices as giving votes to regional parties will embolden the latters' leaders who are helming the affairs in some states like Nagaland, Meghalaya and Bihar to intervene in political affairs of Manipur.