Nine Leaders Join Congress in Manipur

In a notable political shift in Manipur, nine prominent leaders from various parties, including former NPP minister L. Jayantakumar and candidate O. Romen, have joined the Indian National Congress. This defection comes amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the state, which have resulted in over 200 deaths since May last year. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh criticized the central government's failure to address the crisis, asserting that there is a solution to every problem, and emphasized the need for governmental assistance. He expressed confidence that more leaders will join Congress, highlighting a growing public trust in the party following its recent electoral successes. Additionally, Singh condemned the BJP-led government's ineffective policies, particularly its 'War on Drugs' campaign. The Congress party is positioning itself to capitalize on these defections as it prepares for future elections.