Spurned intending candidates quit BJP, protests galore
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 30 2022: BJP supporters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and shouted slogans as protests erupted on Sunday after the party named candidates for next month's elections, leaving many disappointed.

Party offices were ransacked in various parts of the State and protesters gathered in several areas with placards.

Security has been stepped up around the BJP headquarters in Imphal.

Several leaders have resigned though the exact number remained unclear, reports said.

According to sources, most of the disgruntled leaders were those who were not selected to accommodate defectors from the Congress.

Effigies of PM Modi and Chief Minister N Biren Singh were torched.

Giving vent to their disappointment over the exclusion of Khwairakpam Loken Singh from the BJP candidates' in Sagolband Assembly Constituency, enraged supporters torched party posters and flags at Sega Road Takhellambam Leikai, today.

They also blocked Sega Road for a brief period.

Former Congress MLA RK Imo has instead been named as the BJP's man from Sagolband Constituency.

As the police who rushed to the site could not pacifiy the protesters, they fired rounds of smoke bombs to disperse the agitators.

Spurned intending candidates quit BJP, protests galore

Speaking to the media, one of the protesters said that the BJP giving its ticket to RK Imo who joined the party only a few months back by passing over Loken who had worked in the party interest for many years is unacceptable.

He also said that the BJP has committed hara kiri in fielding RK Imo, who is the son in law of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Later Dr Khwairakpam Loken Singh announced his resignation from the BJP and also from the post he occupied in the BJP.

Speaking to media persons at his Sagolband Takhellambam Leikai residence today, Dr Loken said that he had submitted his resignation letter to the party office.

Saying that he would decide what steps to be taken up next after consulting with the people of Sagolband soon, Dr Loken maintained that he contested the 11th Assembly election on a BJP ticket after joining the party in 2016 .

Maintaining that he fell short of just 17 votes in the previous election, the former MLA exuded confidence that he would surely win this election comfortably with the love and support of Sagolband people.

"BJP has done something terribly wrong by giving its ticket to the person who joined the party just a few months back by disregarding the sentiment of the people," he added.

The former MLA also said that there is no point in sticking to the party any longer which doesn't value the contribution of genuine supporters who put utmost faith in its leaders.

Saying that he is not happy with both the Congress and BJP for treating him differently, Dr Loken urged the people of Sagolband AC to teach a befitting lesson to the two parties in the election.

Thangjam Arunkumar who is also preparing to contest the Assembly election from Wangkhei Constituency has also resigned from the primary membership of BJP, today.

Arunkumar was also an intending BJP candidate from Wangkhei AC but the same has been given to Okram Henry who defected from Congress party.

As per an information received late in the evening, Thangjam Arunkumar is set to join Janata Dal (United) tomorrow morning.

BJP ticket seekers Ningthoujam Joykumar Singh and Thokchom Jadumani Singh of Bishnupur and Khangabok ACs have tendered their resignation from the primary membership of the party as their names have not been included in the final candidate list of the party.

Thokchom Jadumani has joined the Janata Dal (United) .

Former Sekmai AC MLA Ningthoujam Biren too has quit the BJP and opted to join Indian National Congress (INC), today.

Speaking to the media, N Biren stated that he was elected from Sekmai Constituency for three terms in the past.

Saying that he joined the BJP in 2014 and had supported the party candidate from Sekmai AC in the 2017 Assembly election, the former MLA continued that he also worked dedicatedly to ensure BJP victory in the Parliamentary election.

"It is disappointing that the BJP didn't respect its senior members," he added.

Alleging that a huge amount of money was demanded from him for the BJP ticket, he added that the saffron party has turned out to be one of the most corrupt political parties.

Former MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly Constituency Soibam Subashchandra too has decided to join the National People's Party (NPP) after quitting the ruling BJP today.

He also announced the dissolution of BJP Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Mandal.

Speaking to media persons after attending a meeting at Ningombam Mayai Leikai, Subashchandra said that he resigned as an MLA and from being a member of the BJP months after winning the 2017 Assembly due to certain reasons.

The former MLA also said that he had met with NPP president Conrad Sangma at New Delhi in the past.