Imphal, January 12: "I have not been given the Congress (I) ticket under the instigation of former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing though I have been a faithful Congress man and had not defected even once during my poltical career," former Minister Yumkham Erabot said.

He claimed that Rishang had strongly lobbied with the Election Committee of the party not to award the party's ticket so that he (Rishang) can become Chief Minister without any challenge from within.

Rishang was responsible for the vertical split in the Congress party which occurred in 1997 when he was the Chief Minister and W Nipamacha, the Speaker.

Inspite of the growing dissidence against his leadership by the Congress MLAs, Rishang had refused to step down till the split took place in the party.

The AICC observers who visited the State thrice had failed to defuse the crisis in the party at that time, he said.

Erabot charged that Rishang had not done anything to maintain peace and harmony between the peoples of the hills and valley area for his political gain.

He is responsible for the present state of affairs in the State, he said alleging Rishang had done nothing for the State though he was the Chief Minister for more than 14 years.

"Denying the party's ticket to me is the same as insulting all the true Congressmen in the State.

This is a challenge to the people", he said while declaring his resignation from the Congress (I).

Soon after his resignation Erabot joined the MSCP and decided to fight the forthcoming election on the party's ticket.