Public rapport to be deciding factor for BJP ticket
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 02 2021: Chief minister N Biren Singh has said that he has doubt of awarding BJP ticket to sitting MLAs of the party if they are unable to get support from the people at the ground level.

The chief minister stated this when media persons asked whether there is any sitting BJP MLAs who would not be allotted party ticket during a reception function held on Tuesday at CM office complex.

The function was organised for one former independent candidate and 11 NPF leaders of Chandel, who recently joined BJP.

Replying to the query, CM N Biren said that awarding party ticket lies at the hand of National Parliamentary Board led by BJP national president JP Nadda and the board will decide whom to award party ticket.

If any intending candidate does ground work properly and get support of the people, then getting party ticket is almost sure and there is no chance of getting party ticket if he or she fails to get support of the masses or did no proper ground work though having close relation with party leaders, he said and appealed to intending candidates not to indulge in violence.

According to CM Biren, BJP is looking for candidates who will be victorious and the party firmly believes in the ideology of 'One India, nation first, party second and individual third' and parliamentary board will award ticket to those who connect with people at the ground level.

Appealing to intending candidates not to fight for ticket, Biren reiterated that awarding party ticket will also depend on report of survey being conducted by the party at the ground level.

CM Biren further said that his earlier apprehension of lukewarm support for BJP in hill areas of Manipur is becoming contradictory as more hill people, even prominent leaders from NPF, which is part of the present coalition government, have joined BJP and this has been possible due to party's ideology and realisation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to bring inclusive development.

When media persons further asked if there is possibility of NPF MLAs joining the party, N Biren said that he does not want to comment about NPF MLAs joining BJP as the party is part of the collation government and there is no question of parting ways in future too.

However, shifting loyalty is solely at the wisdom of the leaders concerned and there should not be any regret for this, he said, adding that many leaders have proposed to join BJP and reception of leaders from other political parties will finish within the month of November after consulting with central leaders.

While stating that there are five BJP MLAs from the hills at present, N Biren said that the party is targeting 15 seats from hills and 30 seats in the valley in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election likely to be held in early part of 2021.The reception function was organised for former independent candidate TS Warngam and NPF Chandel unit key functionaries namely TS Molarhsing, SK Semi, D Anthony, Th Angthung, Ashem Kom, SN Semler, Hopeson Saka, KC Ahanjay, BL Lawrence, SK Lovingson and Thungamden Roel.

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