Many quit BJP to join JD (U), NPP
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 31 2022: Following announcement of BJP candidates for the 60 Assembly segments yesterday, many politicians and intending candidates have shifted their camps and joined different political parties.

Lamlai AC MLA Ksh Biren, former MLA of Tamenglong AC Samuel Jendai, former MLA of Sagolband AC Dr Kh Loken and six others who were seeking BJP tickets have joined Janata Dal-United (JD-U) .

They were accorded a warm reception at Hotel Classic Grande this evening.

Former Chief Secretary O Nabakishore who has been campaigning for election from Bishnupur AC and ex-DGP LM Khaute who is preparing to fight the election in Churachandpur AC are among the nine individuals who have joined JD-U.The others are Thingbaijam Swarankumar (Oinam AC), Kh Suresh (Uripok AC), Ng Robert (Singjamei AC) and A Sanjoy (Kumbi AC) .

Moreover, five other candidates were also admitted into JD-U.

Many quit BJP to join JD (U), NPP

They are former MPS officer Th Brinda (Yaiskul AC), Thangjam Arunkumar (Wangkhei AC), Nongmaithem Herojit (Konthoujam AC), Yumnam Santa (Keirao AC) and Kangabam Jadumani (Wangkhem AC) .

Notably, MLA Kh Joykisan (Thangmeiband AC), MLA Ashabuddin (Jiribam AC) and former MLAs Dr E Dwijamani and Md Abdul Nasir have joined JD-U earlier.

Speaking at the gathering, JD-U State unit president Hangkhanpao Taithul said that the party has decided to field 40 candidates in the forthcoming election as against the 20 candidates planned earlier.

He said that JD-U would not enter into pre-poll alliance with any political party.

He further informed that JD-U leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is planning to visit Manipur after the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

On the other hand, five politicians including former Minister Ningthoujam Mangi (Kumbi AC), ex-MLA Soibam Subhaschandra (Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC) and RK Rameshwar (Patsoi AC) have joined the National People's Party (NPP) .

The other two are former BJP Churachandpur district president Khaipao Haokip (Saikot AC) and ADC Member Nehminthang Haokip (Henglep AC) .

Formally announcing his resignation from the party at his residence�which otherwise also doubles up as the district BJP office, Khaipao Haokip said he along with his supporters have quit the party as the leadership has favoured a totally new face against the district president.

With over 4 years of membership, Khaipao has served as the BJP Churachandpur president for 2 years.

He claimed that 6 mandals were revived under his leadership and turned the tide for the party during his tenure.

Despite all these facts the party ticket was allocated to someone who is not even a member of the party, he said.

A large BJP flag hoisted inside his campus along with heaps of smaller flags that adorned his campus were swiftly removed following his announcement.

Moments later he along with his supporters gathered at New Boljang Community Hall to join the National Peoples' Party (NPP).

Haokip and his supporters were accepted into the party fold by the district president of NPP V Chinkhenpau.

Many others too followed with resignations galore.

Kakching AC MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwar, BJP Manipur spokesperson Dr Nimai-chand Luwang and Khari- bam Jibam (intending candidate Wangkhem AC) have also resigned from BJP along with members of BJP Booth Level Committees and their supporters.

Speaking at a public held at his residence at Kakching, Mayanglambam Rameshwar said he had firm belief that BJP was different from Congress and that the party would be able to help in cleansing the wrongdoings of the previous Congress led Government.

However, the way in which the party has given tickets for the election has shown that BJP is no different from the Congress party, he added.

'I have no more faith in the BJP', he declared.

MLA Rameshwar also alleged that money and muscle power has been used extensively in the ticket race and added that BJP will get no more than 20/21 seats in the coming election.

Regarding the political party he might join, he said he will discuss it with the people and his election committee and take a decision soon.

Rameshwar is likely to join NPP.

Meanwhile BJP intending candidates from Wangkhem AC Dr Nimaichand Luwang and Kharibam Jiban have resigned from the BJP after being denied the party ticket.

Speaking to the media at his residence yesterday evening, Dr Nimaichand Luwang said he had submitted his resignation letter to party president A Sharda Devi and that he will contest the election but he has not decided which party to join.

In a press conference held at his residence, Kharibam Jiban said he had been working for the BJP since 2012 after taking voluntary retirement from service and giving a party ticket to someone who had joined the party recently is very unfortunate.

Supporters of various BJP intending candidates who have been denied party tickets came out strongly against the party leaders and at various places BJP party flags and banners were burnt in protest.