Correspondent
IMPHAL, Jul 12: In a morale boost for the opposition Congress in Manipur, a number of retired bureaucrats formally joined the party in Imphal on Sunday.
Among the 11 newcomers to the party was Thounaojam Brinda (Th Brinda) who is a prominent former police officer best known for her role as the first police officer in Manipur’s narcotics division decorated with a gallantry award.
The MPCC hosted a grand reception function at Imphal Congress Bhavan where senior leaders of the state Congress like former chief minister O Ibobi Singh who is also the current president of the MPCC, AICC CWC member Gaikhangam and party Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam were among other who attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion, former chief minister and MPCC president Okram Ibobi Singh hinted that more political leaders would be joining the party in the coming days.
The joining by the 11 retired bureaucrats and politicians marked only the beginning of the Congress’ organizational expansion in the state, he said, adding that it reflected a growing desire among political leaders to unite against the BJP.
The former three times chief minister of the state, while expressing his strong concern over the prolonged crisis that has been besieging the state, said the suffering of the people had remained unresolved despite the country’s capability to deal effectively with external threats.
He alleged that the hardships faced by the people of the state were ignored for a long time under the BJP rule.
“There is a strong call for a political change to restore normalcy in the state,” he said.
Singh said that the Congress’ historic role in India’s freedom struggle and sacrifices made by the then leaders of the party for the country’s independence will remain forever in the minds of the people.
Even after the independence, the Congress legacy will remain forever, he said while citing the significant role played by the party in economic growth and development of the country.
He said the then Congress-led government under Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had steered the country through a period of significant economic growth and development.
Former police officer Thounaojam Brinda formally joined the Indian National Congress on Sunday and used the occasion to launch strong criticism of the BJP-led government, asserting that Manipur’s prolonged unrest was “state-sponsored violence and terrorism” rather than an inter-community conflict.
Former Lady Cop Th Brinda Devi, speaking on the occasion, called for unity among the indigenous communities, warning that politics driven by sectarian interests would only weaken Manipur.
“If we work only with a sectarian mindset, this homeland will fall into the hands of outsiders,” she said, urging people to rise above community-based politics and work collectively for the future of the state.
The former cop who was known for her vocal against the then N Biren Singh led BJP government in the state, alleged that democratic values had weakened under the present dispensation while maintaining that a change in government through the people’s mandate was necessary to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
She claimed that the Congress remained the only political party capable of providing an effective alternative to the BJP.
Others who joined the party were retired CRPF assistant commandant Yenkhom Sanjeep Singh, senior advocate of the Manipur High Court Laishram Sashibhushan, retired assistant general manager of IUCB Longjam Suranjoy Singh, retired associate professor of Manipur University B Sarat Sharma and retired district supply officer of state CAF&PD.
The grand reception function held at Imphal Congress Bhavan, the MPCC also welcomed former MLA Kh Devendro Singh and former executive engineer of the state power department Kh Gambhir Singh who also joined the party today.