Manipur Sports Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) leader Letpao Haokip on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra.

“I joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by leaving the National People’s Party because under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, development can be brought in the Northeastern states, including Manipur”, Haokip said.

He was speaking during the joining ceremony held at the BJP headquarter, New Delhi.

He told the media on the sideline that Manipur does not have much resources and to bring development in the state it is needed to strengthen the BJP party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah give priority to bring development for Manipur. PM Modi was appreciated for establishing a Northeast cell in order to protect the Northeastern people from being bullied in mainland India, Haokip added.

Letpao Haokip was elected in the NPP seat from 41-Chandel assembly constituency in 2017. He is also one of the leaders of the NPP party. However, in the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election, 2022 he will be contesting from 41-Tengnoupal assembly constituency against the sitting MLA D Korungthang.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav tweeted “I welcome Shri Letpao Haokip ji to the Bhajpa Parivar. Heartening to see the BJP family grow bigger.”

Manipur Works Minister Th Biswajit Singh also welcome Letpao to the party.

"I wholeheartedly welcome Shri @LetpaoHaokip  ji to the BJP family. With Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's guidance, BJP will continue to work in the direction of progress and reforms. Congratulations and best wishes to him for his fruitful journey ahead," Th Biswajit tweeted.