Newmai News Network Imphal | October 17 Two Congress legislators Nongthongbam Biren Singh and Francis Ngajokpa finally defected to the Manipur BJP on Monday. A grand function to welcome the two senior politicians was organised by the BJP Manipur Pradesh at the party office, Nityaipat Chuthek. National BJP leaders including North East Democratic Alliance convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma and general secretary Ram Madhav were present at the event apart from the state unit's president Kshetrimayum Bhabananda and party election committee convenor Thounaojam Chaoba Singh and other important leaders. Ahead of the forthcoming crucial state assembly polls, in less than a month, 3 Congressmen and sitting party MLAs have so far joined the state BJP after quitting both the party and House. Former Congress MLA of Sagolband, Kh Loken Singh joined the BJP fold yesterday. The first Congress MLA to quit the party and assembly was Yumkham Erabot Singh representing Wangkhei constituency. The Congress government under the leadership of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has been able to hold on to power in the state for three consecutive terms. Four MLAs of Manipur Trinamool Congress entered into the fold of the Congress recently. In the 60-member assembly, the Congress currently has 53 members. The three Congress MLAs apart, four MLAs of Naga People's Front (NPF) resigned from the assembly over ILP related issue recently. A recent opinion poll carried out by India Today predicted downfall for the ruling Congress in Manipur which goes to polls early next year. "BJP may get 31-35 seats in the state assembly," a confident state BJP election management committee convenor Thounaojam Chaoba Singh said yesterday citing the opinion poll.
