Ex-minister, others join Cong; more to follow, says Ibobi
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 10 2024:
Former minister Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar of Keishamthong assembly constituency and Oinam Romen, a National People's Party (NPP) candidate in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election in Singjamei AC, along with several former Zilla Parishad members, councillors, and ward members, have joined the Congress party.
A formal reception held on Thursday at Congress Bhawan, here, to welcome the new members was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including CLP leader and former CM O Ibobi, AICC secretary Christopher Tilak, MPCC president K Meghachandra, AICC CWC member Gaikhangam, deputy CLP leader K Ranjit, MPCC treasurer Th Lokeshwar, former MPCC presidents N Loken and M Okendro, and former Lok Sabha MPs of the party.
The newly inducted members include former minister Jayantakumar, Oinam Romen, former ZP member A Okendra of Khurai AC, social worker L Dhiren of Andro AC, former secretary & president of JAC of AMTUC & AMGEO Th John, former councillor of Ward No 15 L Gyanendro, former councillor of Ward No 17 RK Sachi, former member of Ward No 17 O Nilachandra, and former member of Ward No 16 L Romen.
During the reception, former Ibobi opined that the Congress regaining trust of the people is one of the factors for many political leaders aligning with the party.
He expressed confidence that the Congress would be seeing more leaders joining the party in the near future, before the next assembly election.
According to Ibobi, the growing support for Congress reflects dissatisfaction of the people of Manipur with the BJP, as seen in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Calling Jayantakumar's return to Congress homecoming, as he was previously a Congress MLA before leaving due to disagreement over ticket allotment, the former chief minister affirmed that with more leaders joining Congress, the party would be well-positioned to play a key role in shaping the future of Manipur.
Reflecting on the current crisis in Manipur, Ibobi criticised inaction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, opining that they could easily resolve the situation but appear to have a hidden agenda.
He questioned whether they were deliberately allowing violence and tensions to persist.
On the issue of illegal immigration, Ibobi reiterated Congress' support for identifying and deporting illegal immigrants.
While pledging party's support to the War on Drugs campaign, he also expressed concern over handling of the war on drugs, and urged the government to be more sincere in its efforts.
While questioning why those arrested with drugs were being released and rationale of entrusting state police to probe drug smuggling cases involving security forces and police personnel, Ibobi reminded that the then Congress government had transferred cases like the Pallel drug haul to the CBI.
Ibobi further criticised the state government for acting at the whims and fancy of the Centre.
Referring to media reports suggesting that the Rs 13 crore relief package released by the Centre was being held in a joint account controlled by the home commissioner and joint secretary, with the Governor's approval, Ibobi posed if the Governor is now helming affairs of the state.
The former CM also condemned the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons to MPCC president K Meghachandra, calling it an attempt to suppress voices critical of the BJP government both at the Centre and in the state.
He asserted that Congress has nothing to fear as it has done nothing wrong, but would fully cooperate with the ED.
L Jayantakumar, speaking at the event, explained that he left Congress due to a misunderstanding but is now returning to the party.
He also cited differences with the NPP leadership for leaving the party, which he had served as the working president.
While revealing that he repeatedly urged NPP president Conrad Sangma and his brother fames Sangma to visit Manipur and show their support during the ongoing crisis, which both declined, Jayantakumar reasoned that such indifferent attitude ultimately led to his departure from the party.
He called for unity and sincerity in working for the state and its people.
Addressing those gathered, AICC secretary Christopher Tilak, criticised the BJP's "double-engine government" for ignoring hardships faced by the people of Manipur.
He noted that many political leaders were joining Congress as they see no future for the state under BJP leadership.
Tilak expressed confidence that Congress would return to power in Manipur in view of growing trust in the party.
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