O. Joy and 31 others join congress

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, December 10, 2018: Veteran politician and former BJP spokesperson Okram Joy and 31 others who joined Congress were today received by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee at a gathering at Congress Bhavan, Imphal.

The 31others included Dr. Nameirakpam Dwijamani, former BJP candidate, Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, former vice-president, Kshetrigao, BJP Manipur, municipal corporators, pradhans and ward members of BJP and members of BJP, a retired Colonel and a social worker.

Joy contested on BJP ticket at Langthabal Constituency, while Dwijamani contested from Uripok constituency in the 2017 Manipur state Assembly election.

“Today I am standing at the Congress camp which I had been opposing for many years. I am here to save democracy and secularism from the hands of corrupt BJP governance,” said Joy.

Joy served major span of his tenure as opposition leader.

He joined BJP in September, 2015 and resigned in July this year.

Joy said it was by mistake that he joined BJP. “For this I apologise to the people,” he added.

 Dwijamani and Abdur Rahman said they were in the Congress and joined BJP attracted by the false promises of BJP like “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas”, but instead the BJP governance challenge democracy, and economic and social welfare of the citizens. They lamented that BJP has befooled everyone and said they joined Congress party for political reformation.

Congress Legislature leader and former chief minister Okram Ibobi said leaving BJP by members including veteran politicians is the beginning of downfall of BJP in the state and will give a big impact in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

All are fed up with BJP’s false promises and more will join Congress, added Ibobi.

On June 8 former minister and MLA of Kumbi Assembly Constituency, Ningthoujam Mangi also resigned from the BJP. Mangi joined Congress on August 20.