Weeks after quitting as Manipur Congress chief, Konthoujam joins BJP

Manipuri politician Govindas Konthoujam joined the BJP at the party's headquarters in Delhi on Sunday. Media reports on July 20 said the veteran Manipuri politician had stepped down as chief of the state Congress unit, triggering fears in the opposition party that he and other MLAs would switch over to the BJP.

Konthoujam joined the BJP in the presence of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra. Interestingly, Patra is the state in-charge of the BJP for Manipur. Around the time Konthoujam stepped down as state Congress chief, reports had said Patra was coordinating with the BJP central leadership over Congress leaders shifting to the saffron party.

Konthoujam is a six-time MLA representing the Bishnupur constituency and was a former cabinet minister. He was appointed state Congress chief in December.

After joining the BJP, Konthoujam was quoted by ANI as saying, “Next year state elections are due in Manipur, and I will work dedicatedly for Bharatiya Janata Party in those elections.”

Speaking at the induction ceremony of Konthoujam, Biren Singh said, "PM Narendra Modi has cared for the northeast, and recently five ministers from the region have been inducted into the Union cabinet. Manipur promises to make Modi government stronger."

Konthoujam’s defection is expected to add to the woes of the Congress, which was the single-largest party after the 2017 Assembly polls. The Congress has seen a steady erosion in number of MLAs as legislators have moved to switch loyalty to the BJP.

BJP MP Anil Baluni, who is national media in-charge and party spokesperson, had tweeted earlier on Sunday that an "eminent personality" will join the BJP at its headquarters.

In recent years, BJP leaders and the party's official handles have 'teased' impending inductions into the party with similar tweets.