Manipur: BJP MLA, 2 others join Congress

BJP MLA P Saratchandra on Monday joined the Congress, a day after he quit the saffron camp, having failed to secure a ticket for Manipur polls. Senior BJP leaders N Biren and N Joykumar also followed suit. Saratchandra, who represents Moirang seat, accused the BJP of favouring newcomers to old-timers. He was apparently referring to M Prithivraj, who switched over from the Congress to the BJP last year, and has been given the saffron camp's ticket from Moirang. Prithviraj had lost to Saratchandra by less than 400 votes in the last polls. Biren, a former minister, and Joykumar also quit the BJP after he was denied candidature.