Imphal, Feb 1: A day after the BJP announced the list of its candidates for all the 60 assembly constituencies for the ensuing state polls, although the protests against the party’s candidate selection have quelled, the BJP leaders denied tickets are switching over to oppostions and allies both.
On Monday, sitting BJP MLA from Moirang Assembly Constituency, P. Sarat Chandra Singh who has been denied a party ticket joined the Congress in state capital Imphal with his supporters.
Ningthoujam Biren, a former Minister who got elected from Sekmai Assembly Constituency, and Ningthoujam Joykumar Singh, another BJP leader joined Congress. Congress sources have added that a dozen other BJP leaders are in touch.
The BJP on Monday held a meeting of all its 60 candidates which was addressed by Chief minister N Biren Singh, Assam Cabinet Minister and BJP’s election in-charge for Manipur Ashok Singhal, state BJP president A Sarda Devi and Minister Biswajit Sigh, who is the other contender for Chief Ministership apart from CM Biren Singh.
According to BJP sources, the buzz in the meeting was for unity among candidates, party leaders and supporters.
Another big shift from BJP to Conrad Sangma’s NPP is likely to take place in a day or two. Miffed BJP leaders including two sitting MLA are expected to join NPP, party sources said. This includes sitting BJP MLA and veteran Y Erabot Singh of Wangkhei Assembly Constituency, and another BJP MLA Rameshwar of Kakching Assebly constituency – both have been denied BJP tickets.
NPP sources have further added that former Minister L. Mangi, former BJP MLAs- Sobhachandra Singh, N. Loken, Anwar Hussain and Rameshwar would also join them and would be given NPP tickets.
About 20 ticket seeking BJP party leaders including all the three sitting MLAs who have been denied ticket this time have left the party.
Meanwhile, 9 more BJP leaders have joined JD(U) – after three intending candidates Thounaojam Brinda, Thangjam Arunkumar and Thokchom Jadumani joined the party on Sunday. The nine leaders include – Dr Kh Loken Singh, A. Sanjoy Singh, former Chief Secretary O. Nabakishore Singh, former DGP LM Khaute, Ng Robert Singh , Ksh Biren Singh, Th Swarankumar Singh, Kh Suresh Singh and Samuel Jendai.
Except former DGP LM Khaute, the remaining eight intending candidates were denied tickets by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Meanwhile, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) which dominates the Naga inhabitated hill areas of Manipur has released its 1st list of candidates. NPF is part of the Biren singh led Government but is contesting solo. Last time, it had won 4 seats and helped BJP form the government. Its 1st list contains names of 10 candidates.
