Imphal, Jan 31: BJP has faced a major jolt ahead of the Assembly election in Manipur as many BJP members joined other political parties after they were denied ticket from the saffron party.

BJP announced its list of candidates for all the 60 seats on Sunday. Since then, Manipur is witnessing protests and resignations by BJP members.

Many BJP members were denied ticket from the BJP top brass in New Delhi, many of whom were expecting ticket. A spree of resignations have started, although the party had earlier got all its ticket seekers sign a ‘bond’ of ‘Cooperation’ even if denied a party ticket.

Many BJP dissidents are bee-lining at the gate of another BJP ally – Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), which had otherwise minimal presence in Manipur though the party has contested elections in past as well.

Four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ‘aspirants’ have already joined JD(U) in Manipur late on Sunday after being excluded in the list of BJP candidates for the ensuing Manipur Assembly election.

BJP leader – Th Arunkumar of Wangkhei assembly constituency; Nganbam Robert of Singjamei assembly constituency, Kh Suresh of Uripok assembly constituency and super cop turned politician Th Brinda of Yaiskul assembly constituency- were all denied party tickets. They tendered their resignation from the membership of BJP and joined the JD(U).

JD(U) has already got some strong candidates from other parties as well – MLA from Congress – Kh Joykishan Singh, former Congress MLA Muhammad Abdul Nasir and independent MLA from Jiribam Ashab Uddin who was supporting the government. Former Congresman Dwijamani Singh has also joined Nitish Kumar’s party.

Another key BJP ally NPP has also said many BJP aspirants and a few from Congress are in touch for a ‘switch over’.