Five BJP ticket aspirants, who were denied party tickets and left out of the BJP candidates for the election to the Manipur Legislative Assembly, joined the National People's Party (NPP), Manipur, on Monday.
The new NPP members included Ningthoujam Mangi of Kumbi Assembly constituency and S Sovachandra of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa assembly constituency in Manipur.
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The BJP candidates list, which was released on Sunday, left out several of its sitting MLAs and party ticket aspirants, sparking off violence and tension in the state, as vexed supporters and workers of the rejected BJP ticket aspirants burnt down BJP banners, flags and caps as a mark of protest at several places.
"NPP will give opportunity to those aspirants rejected by the BJP but have the potential to win the election," Deputy Chief Minister Joykumar said, while welcoming social worker Lourembam Sanjoy who joined the NPP as party candidate of Andro Assembly constituency recently.
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Meanwhile, in Churachandpur, ADC chairman in-charge and BJP Churachandpur district president Khaipau Haokip along with vice president I Kritinganba Leishangthem also resigned from the party and joined the NPP on Monday. They will contest from Saikot assembly constituency.
Khangthang Tonsing also joined the NPP while former ADC chairman Langkhanpau Guite opted to contest as an independent candidate.
Other than Janata Dal-United, which had already set up candidates in four assembly constituencies in Churachandpur district prior to the announcement of selected BJP names, remaining political parties had refrained from announcing their candidates.
