Amid growing political buzz in Manipur, BJP Northeast Coordinator Sambit Patra and BJP Manipur in-charge Ajit Gopchade arrived in Imphal on Wednesday at 1:30 PM. They were received by BJP State President A. Sharda Devi, BJP MLA S. Ranjan, and several other party office bearers. At the time of their arrival, the leaders did not make any statements to the media.
Later in the day, a crucial meeting of 29 BJP MLAs began at 5:00 PM at the BJP State Office in Thambal Shanglen, convened by Sambit Patra and Ajit Gopchade. Notably, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Assembly Speaker Th. Satyabarta, BJP Manipur President A. Sharda Devi, and MP Leishemba Sanajaoba were present. Among the MLAs, Kebi Devi of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa was absent. Even during the meeting, the leaders refrained from speaking to the media.
Sources indicated that the meeting was part of preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the state. BJP MLAs reportedly sought Sambit Patra’s assistance in arranging interactions with the Prime Minister during his trip to Manipur.
Interestingly, this was the first time in recent months that BJP MLAs—who were earlier divided over leadership issues—came together under one roof.
Initially, Sambit Patra and Ajit Gopchade were expected to meet Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, but the meeting was reportedly cancelled.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of proscribed insurgent groups, has announced a boycott of the Prime Minister’s proposed visit to the state.
Sambit Patra is also expected to hold discussions with NDA ally MLAs in Manipur in the coming days.
