Imphal, October 13 2008: With political parties gearing up their activities with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha election, former Chief Minister RK Dorendra, former Ministers Salam Ibohal, Meinam Nillachandra and ex-candidate Kh Dinamani have shifted allegiance and joined BJP.

Dorendra had contested in the 9th general election of the State Assembly on MPP ticket from Yaiskul Assembly Constituency but was defeated getting only 7321 votes.

Former Minister Meinam Nillachandra and Kh Dinamani had also contested on MPP tickets from Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency and Sekmai Assembly Constituency respectively.

They however managed to get only 5927 votes and 5943 respectively.

While former Minister Salam Ibohal had contested in the election from Thanga Assembly Constituency on the ticket of Samata Party but got only 6485 votes.

Resigning from their respective parties on which they have fought the election, all four of them have joined BJP.

Addressing a press conference attended by the four leaders who have shift allegiance to BJP at the office of the State unit here today, State unit president Dr Haobam Borbabu said that joining of the four political leaders at a time when the party has been trying to consolidate its position and strength has given a new hope.

It is expected that former MLA L Ibomcha and leaders of other political parties would also follow suit and come to the fold of BJP, Dr Borbabu said, adding that after the merger of Samata party with BJP, some other political parties are also likely to merge with BJP.

Stating that Lok Sabha election is expected to be held within the next six months, Dr Borbabu said there has been no change in the position of the party to contest for both the seats.

Necessary preparations have already been made to field candidate and fight for the for the Inner Parliamentary Constituency with all seriousness, he added.

In response to a question raised by mediapersons, Dr Borbabu said that there is no problem in talking for formation of pre-poll alliance with MPP.

In fact, the State unit leaders are currently holding consultation with the Central leaders in this regard, though a final decision has not yet been able to arrive at.

There is also no question of Central leaders deciding on the issue without listening to the opinions and suggestions of the State Unit.

Unlike Congress, BJP is a party which took serious note of the suggestions and opinions of its State units, he added.

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress led SPF Govt in the State, Borbabu said it is only at the time of the SPF Govt that the condition of law and order in the State has gone down to the nadir while throwing the developmental activities in the air leaving people in the throes of violence and escalating price rise.

All these problems could become a thing of the past if there is a change in the leadership at the Centre, he said, adding that if NDA Govt comes to power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha election, then change is inevitable in Manipur as well.

North East in-charge of BJP Chandrasekhar, who was also present during the press conference, observed that leaving out Congress, the process of forming alliance with other regional political parties with the main objective of strengthening the position of BJP in Manipur has been ongoing on and progressing in the right direction.

Central leaders of the party are very keen on all the important issues of Manipur, he added.

RK Dorendra explained that he had left BJP to contest in the election on MPP ticket in consideration of the then prevailing political situation and undue pressures from some NGOs.

Dorendra said that he had been mulling over taking retirement and staying without being a part of any political party for the last one and half years.

But after looking at the deteriorating condition of Manipur, he thought of doing something for the betterment of the State and thus returns to BJP.

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