Imphal: Manipur Congress on Thursday welcomed nine new members into the party include prominent figures such as former NPP MLA and Minister L. Jayantakumar, former NPP candidate from Singjamei Constituency Oinam Romen, ex-Zilla Parishad member of Khurai Constituency A. Okendra, social worker from Andro Constituency L. Dhiren alias Bobo, former Secretary and President of the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO from Wangkhei Constituency TH. John, ex-councillor of Ward No. 15 Singjamei Constituency L. Gyanendro alias Boi, ex-councillor of Ward No. 17 Singjamei Constituency RK Sachi, Member of Ward No. 17 Singjamei Constituency O. Nilachand, and Member of Ward No. 16 Singjamei Constituency L. Romen.
Congress Legislative Party Leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today said that, with India possessing the fourth-largest military strength in the world, the central government could have resolved the ongoing crisis in Manipur if it had acted with sincerity. He made these remarks during the reception of nine new members into the Congress party at Congress Bhawan in Imphal on Thursday.
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Ibobi criticised the ruling BJP government for failing to fulfil its promises to the citizens during its eight years in power. Drawing comparisons, he recalled how Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi rejected the Mizo National Front’s demand for Greater Mizoram, which included Churachandpur District, by emphasising Manipur’s 2,000-year-old history and the boundaries left by the British.
Former National People’s Party (NPP) MLA and Minister from Keishamthong Constituency, L. Jayantakumar, stated that his decision to leave the NPP and join Congress was prompted by the lack of a positive response from NPP leader and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma regarding the crisis in Manipur.