Former BJP candidate from Keishamthong Assembly Constituency and ex-spokesperson of BJP Manipur Pradesh, Elangbam Johnson, today announced his resignation from the party’s primary membership, expressing strong dissatisfaction over what he described as the BJP leadership’s failure to effectively address the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
Addressing reporters at his residence at Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai in Imphal, Johnson launched a sharp criticism against both the State and Central BJP leadership, alleging that the Manipur unit of the party had lost its autonomy and was unable to take independent decisions on critical issues concerning the State.
Johnson said the prolonged ethnic conflict and political instability in Manipur had exposed the inability of the ruling party to respond decisively to issues affecting the people.
Referring to the demand for Separate Administration raised by ten legislators of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, including BJP MLAs, Johnson claimed that the State BJP leadership failed to take any firm stand despite the seriousness of the issue.
“When ten MLAs, including BJP legislators, openly demanded Separate Administration, the State BJP could not take any decision on the matter. This clearly reflected the weakness of the party leadership in Manipur,” he said.
The former BJP spokesperson further alleged that even disciplinary matters within the party were being controlled by the Central leadership, leaving the State unit powerless.
Johnson revealed that during his tenure as BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson and primary member, the State BJP leadership had decided to expel BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip for what he termed “anti-party and anti-Manipuri activities.” However, he alleged that the decision could not be made public following intervention from the Central BJP leadership.
“The State BJP leadership is completely under the control of the Central leaders. Even decisions taken at the State level could not be implemented independently,” he alleged.
A former president of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) before joining active politics, Johnson contested the last Assembly election on a BJP ticket from Keishamthong constituency.
Explaining the reason behind his resignation, Johnson said he no longer found it meaningful to remain in a political party that, according to him, had failed to stand with the people during one of the most difficult periods in Manipur’s history.