Imphal: Twelve leaders from different political parties joined the opposition Congress in Manipur on Friday.
The leaders, including two former MLAs, four former Chairmans of ADC Tamenglong, and six social workers, were welcomed to the party by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, state Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh and Lok Sabha member (Congress) Angomcha Bimol Akoijam at Congress Bhawan in Imphal.
Among those who joined the party were former MLAs Kh Loken Singh and Z Kikhonbou Newmai. Humaliabou, Former Chairman of ADC Tamenglong, Tadinang Gangmei, Ramwangdin Abonmai, and M.P. Guang, all former members of the Autonomous District Council, also joined the party.
Former CM Okram Ibobi Singh said that BJP’s governance had brought miseries among the people and unrest, not only in Manipur but across the country.
“Since they (BJP) came to power, at the Centre and the state, peace and tranquillity have been shattered. The BJP’s rule has led to division and chaos in the name of religion, language, and identity,” he stated.
“In 2017 Assembly polls, the Congress (which was in power at that time) became the single largest party winning 28 seats in the 60-member Assembly, but the then-Governor, reportedly under central influence, invited the BJP despite the party secured 21 seats to form the government,” the three-time (2002-2017) former Chief Minister said.
“The electoral mandate in 2017 polls was clearly in favour of Congress, but the BJP using tactics and central influence seized power, defying the democratic choice of the people,” Ibobi said, accusing the BJP of bypassing constitutional and democratic norms.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “The politics of Manipur is changing. @INCIndia won both the Lok Sabha seats in the state in June 2024 and now the exodus into the Congress continues. This is perhaps one reason why the non-biological PM is refusing to visit Manipur.”
In the April-May Lok Sabha elections, the opposition Congress won both the Lok Sabha seats – Inner Manipur (Angomcha Bimol Akoijam) and Outer Manipur (Alfred Kanngam S Arthur).
