In a display of outrage, workers affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly vandalised the district party office in Senapati district on Saturday. This action came in response to the decision of the N Biren Singh-led BJP in Manipur to back the Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate in the Outer Manipur Constituency for the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary elections.
Reliable sources indicated that several BJP workers from the hill district forcefully entered the party office premises and caused damage to the property. Their actions were fueled by discontentment towards the party leadership’s decision, particularly since some members had already expressed aspirations to contest for the BJP ticket in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls for the Outer Manipur seat.
Reports also suggested that the president of the Senapati district party unit, Th Thaikho Peter, and other officials were not present at the time of the incident.
The announcement of BJP’s support for the NPF candidate was made by Sambit Patra, the party’s in-charge for the northeast, on Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter. He stated, “As per the instructions of BJP president JP Nadda ji, I am pleased to inform that BJP will extend its support to Lok Sabha candidates of NPP in both the seats of Meghalaya (Shillong and Tura), to NPF in the Outer Manipur constituency, and to NDPP in Nagaland in the ensuing parliamentary elections 2024.”
Chief Minister N Biren Singh echoed this sentiment on social media, declaring, “Following the decision by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the guidance of Shri. J.P.Nadda ji, and upholding our alliance principles, I am delighted to share that BJP will lend its support to Lok Sabha Candidates of NPF in the Outer Manipur Constituency for the upcoming Parliamentary elections in 2024.”
It’s worth noting that in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had unsuccessfully contested the general elections in alliance with the regional party NPF, failing to secure the Outer Manipur seat.
Also Read: Lok Sabha: BJP to support NPF’s candidate for Outer Manipur seat