Four AITC MLAs join Congress
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 18 2016: All the four MLAs of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) namely Thounaojam Shyamkumar (Andro AC), Dr Irengbam Ibohalbi (Oinam AC), Konthoujam Sarat (Konthoujam AC) and Oinam Lukhoi (Wangoi AC) have joined the Indian National Congress.

Speaking to media persons at his official quarters today, Shyamkumar who also held the post of AITC State unit president said that seven AITC MLAs were elected in the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

Following the expiry of MLA M Kunjo of Hiyanglam AC, a by-election was held.

Another by-election was held after AITC MLAs Khumukcham Joykishan and Thongam Bishwajit were disqualified for working against the party.

"There were still four MLAs including myself but we tendered our resignation letter to the party's National president today as the party's central leadership failed to fulfil many of our expectations", Shyamkumar said.

Four AITC MLAs join Congress

The party's central leadership refused to take up the issue of ILPS and the issue about the Central Government withholding the three ILPS related Bills.

This compelled the four AITC MLAs to resign from the party's primary membership.

Dr Ibohalbi informed that their resignation has been accepted by the party's central leadership.

Later, a felicitation function was held at the Congress Bhavan in celebration of the entry of the four AITC MLAs within the fold of Congress party.

Among others, the felicitation function was attended by AICC general secretary North East in-charge Dr CP Joshi, AICC secretary Avinash Pandey, AICC secretary Dr Vijayalakshmi, MPCC president TN Haokip, Chief Minister O Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Congress MLAs, and MPCC office bearers.

The MPCC leaders announced that Th Shyamkumar, I Ibohalbi, Oinam Lukhoi and K Sarat have been enrolled as members of INC.

Speaking at the gathering, TN Haokip said that the entry of the four MLAs would further strengthen Congress party in Manipur.

CP Joshi said that BJP has been churning out volumes of propaganda as if the successive Congress Governments did nothing.

But the Congress Governments were always working for rapid development of the country.

Congress Governments launched different social benefit schemes for the benefit of the poor masses, farmers and youth.

But it has become a habit of BJP to overlook all development projects taken up by the Congress.

Even though people once reposed their faith in BJP but the party's activities and performance have belied all their hopes and expectations.

Congress is confident that it would score a triumphant come-back in the next Lok Sabha election, Joshi asserted.

Chief Minister O Ibobi remarked that the four MLAs who have joined Congress party anew have ideologies which are similar to those of Congress party.

They joined Congress party as they are committed to protecting the integrity of Manipur and protect both Manipur and India from the sectarian policies of BJP.

Unlike BJP, Congress never tries to hoodwink the masses and it would not do anything which may diminish people's faith.

Congress shouldered the roles of a vanguard in the country's struggle but BJP has been working to misinterpret this historical fact, Ibobi asserted.

Without naming any individual, Ibobi said that he felt pity on seeing some politicians who have been fighting elections under different flags after every five years.

It would be wise for BJP to change their notion that the people of Manipur are fools.

Congress has risen once again in Gujarat, the home State of the Prime Minister as more and more people have seen the true colour of BJP.

Congress party has been ruling the State for a prolonged period because the Government was able to synchronize its policies and programmes with the wishes and aspirations of the people.

Compared to Congress, BJP is just like bubbles, Ibobi asserted.

He went on to predict a crushing defeat for BJP in the 2019 Parliamentary election.

There is a need to further strengthen Congress party in Manipur so as to prevent some political parties from deceiving the masses, Ibobi stated.

Gaikhangam stated that Congress party would always work in line with the pulse of the masses.

He then called upon the people to be always wary of BJP and enable Congress party to hand a crushing defeat to BJP in the forthcoming State Assembly election.

With the four AITC MLAs now joining ranks with INC, there are only four Opposition MLAs in the State Assembly.

They are Karam Shyam (LJP), L Ibomcha (NCP), Kh Joykishan (BJP) and Th Bishwajit (BJP) .

A few days back, the Speaker accepted the resignation letters of five MLAs namely Samuel Risom (Ukhrul AC), Nunghlung Victor (Chandel AC), Yumkham Erabot (Wangkhei AC), Dikho (Mao AC) and Alexander Pao (Karong AC) .

Congress Bhavan was packed to the full when the felicitation function was held which also led to traffic congestion along BT Road.