2 Congress MLAs join BJP ahead of Manipur Assembly Elections

2 Congress MLAs join BJP ahead of Manipur Assembly Elections Imphal, Jan 26: Times-a-changing for the ruling Congress party in Manipur as 2 MLAs quit the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The two MLAs, Nimcha Kipgen and V Valte left the Congress and an Economic Times report  claimed they are expected to join the BJP. This

weakens the Congress Party and brings down the number of member to 45 seats in the house of 60. This changing of sides while does affect the strength of Congress, but could also be an indication of the opinion of these MLAs regarding the possibilities of parties forming a government in Manipur this year. Notably, in 2016, three veteran leaders of the Congress party, N Biren, Y Erabot and Francis Ngajokpa also left the party and joined the BJP.

However the BJP has released its list of 31 candidates fielded from various constituent assemblies. As per the list, former Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice-president and spokesperson, Nongthombam Biren Singh will contest from Heingang. Similarly former Congress minister Yumkham Erabot Singh will contest from Wangkhei seat.

The first list also includes Chaoba  Singh who is the convener of Election Management Committee and will contest from Nambol  constituency. The Central Election Committee of the BJP met on Monday in New Delhi to finalise the list of candidates who are supposed to contest the Assembly election this year.

As per the list, O Joy Singh, who is a veteran BJP leader will contest from Langthabal and Biswajit Singh will contest from Thongju.

Manipur is under an economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) and has gone through, now almost, 3 months of unrest. The economic blockade was called in protestation against the creation of seven new districts by the state government. While this creation got huge support from the Manipuri’s residing there, the UNC is especially irked as it states this creation will undermine the political unity of the Nagas.

In such times, the election which is scheduled to be held on March 4 and 8 might have to go through further rough phases. To ensure smooth functioning of the government, and to end the blockade, talk between the UNC, the Manipur Government and the Centre is underway and will continue after Republic Day.