Kaiku quits BJP
Source: The Sangai Express / Waari Singbul Network
Imphal, September 27 2023:
Displeased with what he termed as the Government's inapt handling of the current turmoil besieging Manipur as well as the inhuman murder of two young students, celebrated Manipuri film actor Rajkumar Kaiku aka Somendra has resigned from the the primary membership of the saffron party.
Kaiku, who has acted in over 400 films, including two Kuki movies, submitted his resignation letter to the leadership of the State unit party on Wednesday afternoon even as the party leaders requested him to reconsider his stance.
A resident of Thangmeiband area in Imphal West district, Kaiku contested the last Lok Sabha polls as an Independent candidate in 2019 and later joined BJP in November 2021 .
Being a celebrated film personality, Kaiku garnered huge crowds for the saffron party in the last State Assembly polls held.
Talking to Waari Singbul, Kaiku said "my priority is 'public first and party second' for which I applied my mind to incline with the public in these hard times" .
"It is disheartening to notice that the Government is yet to take up proactive measures to resolve the unceasing public disorder besetting the State for more than four months now," said Kaiku.
"To be honest, I joined the BJP thinking that the party would bring a significant change in our State with the double engine Government.
Of course, it brought changes in different sectors like tourism under Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
With this in mind, I thought the Central leaders would act swiftly and put an end to the ongoing conflict.
I trusted them.
But, it seems like the Central leaders are paying no attention to what is going on in Manipur for months ," he said.
The celebrated actor said that he decided to quit the party so that he can work at his own will.
There is also a saying that it is the public first, party second.
So I thought it is better to prioritize peace and join the people's movement," Kaiku added.
Stating that the current turmoil has dampened the pace of development of Manipur which was seen in the last few years, Kaiku appealed to all sections of society to set aside all differences and work together to restore normalcy.
"As I have left BJP now I'm a free citizen and can join the people's campaign to restore public order," he said, while defying Kuki legislators and civil bodies demand for a separate administration.
"I've so many Kuki friends in Saikul, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, to be honest.
I think they should have also realized the background of the issue and not all of them are actively taking part in the conflict.
They must have also realised that it is a sinister game of a few people.
So I appeal to them to understand the situation and work on peace, the actor added.