Imphal, September 24: Welcoming a number of State political heavyweights into its fold, Nationalist congress Party's State unit chief V Hangkhalian exuded confidence of forming the next Government.

The NCP state president interacting with news-persons at the press confe- rence cum reception of new entrants at the Manipur Press Club (Majorkhul) put the party's top priority on getting absolute majority in the forthcoming Assembly poll.

"If not we will attempt at emerging the single largest party," asserted a visibly jubilant Hangkhan-lian.

Those formally joining the NCP today include former Deputy Speaker K Raina, ex-MLAs L Jona-than, Ng Atomba Singh, former BJP candidates Loli Adanee, Athuan Abonmai, BJP's former executive member Ajang Khongsai, and Md Abdul Jabbar Shah, S Kumar Singh and Md Rahimmuddin.

Former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam and a number of ex-MLAs, who have also joined the NCP were not present.

Clarifying on the absence, Hangkhalian cited non-receipt of formal intimation from the party high command on the remaining lot joining the NCP.

"We have no hard feelings against them," he added.

Projecting NCP agenda as "Peace through Development" the State unit chief, himself a former Minister, affirmed of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur and cited �fed up' as the main reason for the political heavyweights to leave their respective parties and join NCP.

He also disclosed of 10 sitting MLAs sending feelers to join NCP at the end of their present tenure but declined to take names saying �it would be premature to do so'.

Hangkhalian conferred party's primary membership cards to the new entrants.

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