Manipur Congress vice-president Biren Singh resigns, may join BJP

GUWAHATI: What may come as a big blow to the ruling Congress in Manipur ahead of the next year's assembly polla, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice-president and spokesperson Nongthombam Biren Singh has resigned from the party and membership of state assembly.

Biren is likely to join BJP. The powerful Congress leader had major difference of opinion with Chief minister OIbobi Singh and he has been leading a dissident camp since last oneand-a-half years. Following his pressure, a cabinet reshuffle was done and the state president was changed.

Dissatisfied with the chief minister's way of functioning, Biren has been vocal against the Congress government in the state.


He felt that the Congress is not solving the major problems of the state. A senior BJP leader told ET, "More than 10 congress MLAs are likely to join the Saffron party shortly.' This was the modus oprandi used by the BJP in Assam polls held in April this year were it handed over humiliating defeat to congress.

Recently veteran Congress leader Yumkham Erabot has resigned and joined the BJP.

Biren said, "People feel there is no governance now. It is a world record that the bodies of nine tribals have been in the morgue for more than a year. An agreement should have been ironed out and the bodies given a decent burial."

Nine tribals died while they protesting against three antimigrant bills passed in the Manipur Assembly on August 31, 2015.

The bills were passed after months of mass movement.

Biren felt that Ibobi Singh has b come unpopular.

Early this year, 25 dissident MLAs have moved high command seeking implementation of one man one post formula and reshuffle of the state cabinet.

Congress had 47 MLAs in the house of 60 member assembly. A senior congress leader, 'As election is approaching more congress leaders will quit the party and join BJP. Dissatisfaction is very high."