Manipur polls: Denied ticket, BJP leaders make beeline to Janata Dal (United)

While BJP supporters continue to protest following in some areas and there is series of resignations from ruling party after it announced list of 60 candidates for two phased Manipur polls, disgruntled leaders are making beeline for joining Bihar based Janata Dal (United).

Supercop-turned-politician Th Brinda, Former-MLA Jamhenlung Panmei of Tamenglong assembly constituency, Khumbongmayum Suresh from Uripok assembly and Elangbam Sobit in Khundrakpam have also resigned from the BJP and Joined JD(U).

General secretary in charge of Northeast India of JD(U) Afaque Ahmad Khan told ET, “Former chief secretary Oinam Nabakishore, Dr Kh Loken, Thangjam Aran and former MLA of Lamlai assembly constituency Kshetrimayum Biren joined the JDU.”


Party leaders added that BJP Th Arunkumar of the Wangkhei assembly constituency, Nganbam Robert of the Singjamei constituency have joined the JDU.

Earlier congress MLA from Congress Kh Joykishan Singh joined JDU. Dwijamani Singh also joined Nitish Kumar' led party.

JDU is an ally of BJP. Even BJP leaders who are denied tickets are likely to join the National People's Party (NPP). NPP is an ally of BJP led government in Manipur, however, it is contesting the polls on its.

Former bureaucrat P Sharatchandra joined congress after BJP denied him a ticket.

Khan said, “We are planning to contest as many as 30 seats and we will form the next government.”

Earlier BJP has worked out an agreement of cooperation with its members dithering them from switching sides. On Monday BJP leaders held a meeting with those who received party tickets.

The Manipur assembly polls will be held in two phases. In first phase polling will be held on February 27 in 38 assembly seats and in second phase polling will be held on March 3 in 22 assembly constituencies.