The Manipur PCC on Monday received 32 persons, including veteran politician and former BJP spokesperson Okram Joy Singh, in a gathering at Congress Bhavan here.
The others included former BJP candidate Nameirakpam Dwijamani, former party vice-president, Kshetrigao, Md Abdur Rahman Khan, municipal corporators, pradhans and ward members of the BJP and party members, a retired colonel and a social worker.
Joy Singh contested on a BJP ticket at Langthabal constituency, while Dwijamani contested from Uripok constituency in the 2017 Assembly elections. “Today I am standing with the party I had been opposing for many years to save democracy and secularism from the hands of the corrupt BJP governance,” the 77-year-old said.
Joy Singh, who belonged to the Manipur People’s Party, had served a major span of his tenure as leader of the Opposition. He joined the BJP in September 2015 and resigned in July this year. “It was my mistake that I joined the BJP and for this I apologise to the people,” said Joy Singh.
Dwijamani and Abdur Rahman said they were in the Congress and had joined the BJP “lured by false promises like sabka saath sabka vikas”.
However, they alleged that the BJP had fooled everyone. So these leaders said they have joined the Congress for political reformation.
Former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said veteran politicians and other members leaving the BJP is the beginning of the downfall of the party in the state. “It will have a huge impact on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. All are fed up with the BJP’s false promises and more politicians will join the Congress,” he added.
On June 8, former minister and Kumbi Assembly constituency MLA Ningthoujam Mangi also resigned from the BJP and joined the Congress on August 20. He had joined the party on February 5, 2017.