The flag hoisting ceremony for BJP’s candidate for Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Th Basanta Kumar took place at his Utlou residence in Bishnupur district on Wednesday.
This event, traditionally seen as one of the grandest election rallies in Manipur, saw the conspicuous absence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, sparking speculations and doubts among the public.
While key figures of the BJP in Manipur, including BJP Manipur president A Sharda and minister Govindas Konthoujam, attended the occasion, the absence of CM Biren did not go unnoticed.
A spokesperson for the BJP Manipur tried to quell the rising speculations, stating that the CM’s absence might be attributed to his hectic schedule.
“Both CM Biren and Basanta Kumar are seen as a cohesive unit. There is no underlying negativity or discord between them,” the spokesperson clarified.
Interestingly, when Basanta Kumar filed his nomination for the elections at the DC office of Imphal West, he was accompanied by CM Biren, his cabinet members, and senior office bearers of the BJP Manipur.
This contrasting scenario further added to the intrigue surrounding the CM’s absence from the flag hoisting event.
Adding another layer to the unfolding political narrative, a civil body has announced a ban on election campaigns and flag hoisting ceremonies. This move is likely to impact the campaign strategies of all political parties in the region as the election date draws closer.
Despite his ministerial responsibilities, Th Basanta Kumar Singh, present minister of Education and Law expressed his commitment to serving the state, country, and its people, emphasising his decision to contest the MP election. “The post is not important for me, what is important for me is to serve the state, the country and my people,” he said.
He addressed queries from the media regarding his candidacy while holding a cabinet position. He cited the current situation in Manipur and his aspiration to contribute to the state’s development as motivating factors for his decision.
Basantakumar applauded the Central leaders for their choice and pledged to support Prime Minister Modi’s third tenure with dedicated service.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in the BJP government’s future at the Centre and urged voters in inner Manipur to support candidates capable of delivering results and effectively advocating for the region’s interests. Notably, the flag hoisting ceremony also saw the presence of NPP’s MLA Th Shanti.
