Manipur Congress MLA defects to BJP

Imphal, September 12 (IANS) Former Minister and senior Congress legislator Yumkham Erabot on Monday formally joined the BJP. He had earlier resigned from the Manipur Legislative Assembly as well as from the Congress.   State BJP President Khetrimayum Bhabananda and others welcomed Erabot in their office.   Bhabananda said: "Erabot is an honest and spirited politician. But in the last 15 years he failed to implement any developmental works in his Wangkhei constituency, which show how corrupt the Congress government has been."  

Former party president and now election strategist for BJP, Thounaojam Chaoba said, "The senior leaders in Congress have themselves expressed that there is a need for change."   Erabot said that the people of his constituency had urged him to resign.   The Congress refused to comment on the development.   Chaoba claimed that more Congressmen will join the BJP.   Sources told IANS that there were chances of en masse resignation demanding a reshuffle and change of leadership.   In the 60 member Manipur assembly, the Congress had 42 members, while the BJP had two.