BJP Resignations In Manipur Present Gains For Less Popular Ally JD(U)
NDTV
Manipur Election: Four BJP aspirants and four other influential leaders from parties including Congress have now joined Janata Dal (United), or JD(U).
Manipur is witnessing a spree of protests and resignations among the BJP's rank and file after the party announced its list of candidates for all 60 seats on Sunday.
Despite asking its ticket-seekers to sign a 'bond' of 'cooperation' even if they were denied a party ticket, the BJP saw a string of resignations nonetheless. Many BJP dissidents are making a beeline for the gates of another BJP ally -- Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United). The JD(U) has otherwise had minimal presence in Manipur, though the party has contested elections in the past.
Four BJP 'aspirants' joined Janata Dal (United) in Manipur late Sunday after being excluded from the list of BJP candidates for the upcoming Manipur Assembly election, said JD(U) sources.
BJP leaders Th Arunkumar of the Wangkhei assembly constituency, Nganbam Robert of the Singjamei constituency, Kh Suresh from the Uripok constituency, and supercop-turned-politician Th Brinda of the Yaiskul constituency -- were all denied party tickets.They in turn quit the BJP and joined the JD(U), sources further added.
