Former CM Radhabinod quits BJP
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 04 2019:
Former Chief Minister of the State Radhabinod Koijam has resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party today.
He submitted his resignation letter to president Manipur State BJP K Bhabananda Singh at the party's office today noon, said the veteran politician who joined the party in 2017 .
He had lobbied for the BJP ticket but was given to RK Ranjan instead.
He has no complain regarding the matter, said the former CM but hinted that he may retire from active politics.
Speaking to media persons at his home in Thangmeiband, Radhabinod said that he had joined BJP along with former Minister O Joy.
"After joining BJP, I have been visiting places in the State to learn the plight of the people who are poor and downtrodden.
I studied their grievances and wants," he said stating that he had hope for contesting the 17th Lok Sabha election as a candidate of the BJP in the Inner Parliamentary Constituency.
He had high hope that he would get the ticket to contest the election and serve the people.
"I have no regret and ill feelings towards RK Ranjan.
He is like a brother to me," said the former CM.
"RK Ranjan had previously contested election and was defeated by Congress' T Meinya.
He deserves the ticket," he said adding that he would not have welcomed the decision of the BJP if the ticket was given to any other person.
As he had high expectation that he would get the ticket, he had been campaigning since October 2017, said Radhabinod Koijam.
As he did not get the ticket, he is considering retirement from politics, he said but also asserted that he has not taken any concrete decision in the matter.
He has some differences with the BJP and his resignation was a result of this, said the former CM and added that he has not yet decided who he will support in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
Radhabinod Koijam became Chief Minister in February 2001, however his Government short-lived and was dissolved in May the same year.