Manipur BJP president A Sharda Devi on her return to Imphal after meeting Central party leaders in Delhi on Thursday said that Central observer Nirmala Sitharaman will announce the state BJP legislature party leader after the Holi festival.
Sharda was responding to a query thrown by a group of eager reporters’ as she landed at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal, along with caretaker chief minister N Biren Singh, who stated the same while speaking to mediapersons while in Delhi.
The state BJP president said that no indication or letter has been received from the Central leaders yet, regarding the selection of legislature party leader. It is to be done by Central party leaders and the announcement will be made after the Holi festival, she stressed.
Sharda also said there is no division among the party members. The blasting of crackers at the state BJP office was carried by some youths who were overjoyed as the legislature party leader would be selected.
As questions were raised over Th Bishwajit, who left for Delhi together with the top two party leaders, returning alone in a separate flight, Sharda said as they have to reach New Delhi in time to attend the review meeting, they departed together in a charter flight due to unavailability of flight ticket. On their return to Imphal there were so issue on flight ticket, which was why Biswajit reached Imphal earlier, she added.
Biren said the meeting was only a review meeting chaired by national BJP president JP Nadda. During the meeting they discussed about the recent election in Manipur and what steps the party should take in the next five years.
“BJP is a well organised and discipline political party and whatever the central decides, we have to follow,” Biren said, adding that “the news that went viral was just a mere media speculation with an unofficial source. It is yet to be decided who will be the chief minister of a new Manipur government. Let the party decide”.
Biren appealed against publishing or broadcasting speculation news as it could create misunderstanding among the public.
Bishwajit, who landed in Imphal before Biren and Sharda, also told reporters that the Central leadership will decide on the new legislature party leader and “nothing” related to it was discussed with the top party leaders in Delhi. The meeting with Central leaders in New Delhi was only to celebrate the party’s victory in the recent Assembly election 2022.
“There was nothing discussed regarding the leader of state BJP legislature. The meeting with central leaders was to celebrate the victory of BJP in the recent election of Manipur,” he said.
The parliamentary board of Central leaders will announce the state legislature party leader, he said, adding that the announcement was delayed as Parliamentary session was underway.
When asked about the news of Biren returning as chief minister for the second term that went viral in national media, Biswajit said it was only speculation. The state will follow the instruction of the Central leaders, he said. There is no issue on selection of state BJP legislature party leader and no groupism among the newly inducted BJP representatives, he added.
On returning alone, Biswajit said there was no issue on returning in a different flight. "It is due to unavailability of flight ticket and due to some personal purpose he came early in a separate flight," he said.
Also Read: BJP MLA Th Biswajit returns to Imphal alone, says 'nothing' discussed with Central leaders in Delhi
