Ex-Cong MLAs RK Imo, Yamthong Haokip join BJP
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 08 2021:
Former Congress member and unattached MLA RK Imo of Sagolband assembly constituency and Congress's Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip have joined the BJP on Monday.
The two were warmly welcomed by BJP national president JP Nadda in the presence of senior party leaders, union minister Sarbanand Sonowal and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra among others in a function held at the party's head office in the national capital on Monday.
While welcoming the two MLAs, Sambit Patra, who is also in-charge of Manipur, said that several sitting MLAs of Manipur are joining the party as a result of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gives special focus to the northeast region.
RK Imo had remained as MLA of Congress party for two terms from 2012 and his late father RK Joychandra was also a chief minister of the Congress government in Manipur, apart from being the first union minister from the state.
AICC sent RK Imo to Tripura as election observer in 2018 state assembly election while he was the general secretary (organisation) of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee.
He had also remained as member of AICC Drafting Committee for Preliminary Session under Dr Manmohan Singh.
He is the president of Manipur Cricket Association now, Sambit Patra said.
On the other hand, Yamthong Haokip also got elected on Congress ticket from Saikul assembly constituency in 2012 assembly election.
He had remained as advisors of Sadar Hills East Organisation and Haokip People's Council.
It is a matter of pride for BJP to have such renowned figures as the party's members, he said and expressed confidence that the two MLAs will play crucial role in ensuring BJP's absolute majority in the 2022 state assembly election.
RK Imo stated that he joined BJP as he believes in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who in the last few years has brought peace and development across the country.
He emphasised on the work done in Jammu and Kashmir regarding abrogation of Article 370.He also said that he was impressed by the extension of Inner Line Permit (ILP) System in Manipur under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.
RK Imo further said that Manipur has made progress in the last five years especially in law and order.
Bandhs and blockades are no longer a common matter.
Chief Minister N Biren works tirelessly to bring communal harmony and integrity among the different communities in valley and hills, he said and also cited policies like CMHT, Health for All, Go to Village, and Go to Hills as the reason for joining BJP with the hope that there is peace, stability and development in the state.
He also assured of his best efforts in ensuring that the BJP retains power in the 2022 election.
MLA Yamthong Haokip said that he could not do much for his people as an opposition MLA and he thought that he could serve his people better if he joins BJP and become part of the system, which involves the public in its policies and functioning.
RK Imo, who comes from a notable political family in the state associated with the Congress, was elected from Sagolband assembly constituency in 2012 and 2017 assembly elections on Congress ticket.
However, later, he was expelled from the party over his alleged anti-party activities.
Sarbananda Soowal welcomed the two leaders into the saffron fold and asserted that the northeast regions have established their identity under the Modi government, which has ensured that Union ministers and bureaucrats regularly visit the area to address issues.
Since formation of the BJP-led coalition government in the state, no less than 11 Congress MLAs have joined the saffron party so far and there are reports that more Congress legislators would be formally enrolled into the BJP in the coming days.
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