Govindas joins BJP, says more Cong MLAs will follow suit
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 01 2021:
In a setback for the Congress party, former Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Govindas Konthoujam on Sunday joined BJP at the party's headquarters in New Delhi.
BJP accorded warm welcome to Govindas in a function attended by chief minister N Biren, Manipur in-charge Dr Sambit Patra, party's state president chief A Sharda Devi, Union minister for external affairs Dr RK Ranjan, Rajya Sabha MP and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba and media head Anil Baluni.
Last month, Govindas had tendered his resignation from the state assembly and the primary membership of the Congress.
While tendering his resignation, Govindas said that he had taken the step due to personal reasons.
A veteran leader in state politics, Govindas is a former minister and six-time MLA from Bishnupur assembly constituency.
He was also the chief whip of the Congress Legislature Party.
Last year, he was appointed president of MPCC.
Speaking at the press meet, Sambit Patra informed that inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work, former MPCC president and six-time MLA Govindas has joined BJP.
In his address, Govindas stated the under PM Modi the nation has seen much positive change and he wants to be part of it.
Not only him but many other MLAs will soon join the party, he revealed.
"I will work to ensure BJP's victory with a huge majority in next year's assembly polls," he said.
Welcoming Govindas, Biren said, "We will work together to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi by bringing back the BJP government in Manipur in next year's assembly polls".
Calling Govindas, an old friend, the CM mentioned that he was supposed to leave Congress along with him but due to a communication gap he did not do so.
"Now he has joined us, we will work together to show the world that Manipur will progress to reach a new height of development," Biren said.
He emphasised that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Manipur, which earlier used to witness violence, blockade and strike, is peacefully progressing.
"Manipur and the whole North East have received immense importance under Prime Minister Modi.
Development is visible in the last four and a half years in Manipur.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Manipur is peacefully progressing to greater heights," Biren maintained.
He further emphasised that Inner Line Permit System was implemented in the state with the support of Union home minister Amit Shah and exuded confidence that BJP will return to power in the state.
Manipur BJP chief Sharda Devi said that Govindas joined the party to serve the people and work for the development of the state.
The Congress stalwart joining BJP shows that people of Manipur have trust in the BJP government and in next state election too, they will work dedicatedly for PM Modi to ensure that BJP retains power, she asserted.
It can be mentioned that it was speculated that along with Govindas two more Congress MLAs Kh Joykisan and Yamthong Haokip will join BJP on Sunday.
But seeing only the presence of Govindas at the press meet, uncertainty remains on what changes are coming ahead in state politics.
CM Biren and Govindas in their statements have remarked that more MLAs will join the party.
The political twist comes at a time when the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have begun preparatory work for the ensuing assembly election due early next year.
Govindas had submitted his resignation letter as an MLA to assembly speaker Y Khemchand Singh and the latter accepted the resignation.
A bulletin issued by Manipur legislative assembly secretary M Ramani Devi said that Govindas has resigned his membership from the assembly, and consequent upon his resignation, "26-Bishnupur assembly constituency is now lying vacant with immediate effect from Wednesday".
With the resignation of Govindas, the strength of the 60-member Manipur assembly now stands at 53 .
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