Ahead of polls, 3300 workers desert Ibobi

With just weeks to go for the Assembly elections, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was left red-faced today as 3,300 block-level Congress party workers from his home constituency of Khangabok resigned from primary membership and joined the regional Manipur Peoples’ Party (MPP).

They said they were opposed to Ibobi’s decision to contest from two constituencies. Ibobi has announced that he would be contesting from Thoubal AC as well. Ibobi’s decision to contest from two constituencies is being seen as a sign of weakness, with former CM RK Dorendro having applied for a Congress ticket.

The exodus was led by Likmabam Bachu, president of the Khangabok Kendra Block Congress Committee, who said Ibobi was betraying the people who elected him.