Manipur BJP will choose its chief minister candidate on Monday at a meeting. The party has made up its mind, but it is waiting for central leader in charge of the state, Prakash Javadekar, to take the final decision.
The BJP’s parliamentary party met in Delhi and discussed the situation in the five states that went to polls. In four states, it would stake claim to government.
While BJP emerged the clear winner in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it is the second biggest party in Goa and Manipur. In Manipur, BJP won 21 seats while Congress got 28.
“But we have a coalition which would touch 31. Congress cannot. Even Congress MLAs are in touch with us,” said Robin Blackie, treasurer of the party and party’s spokesman in Manipur.
Asked about the candidate, he said, “We have sent a few names to Delhi. But our central leadership will declare it on Monday.”
Sources said party president Bhabananda Singh is the front runner. But the most liked candidate, for whom the party MLAs would vouch for, is N.Birendra Singh.
The senior most leader of the party, T.Chaoba Singh, would have been the chief minister had he won. But Chaoba Singh was defeated by Congress candidate.
“So Birendra Singh is our choice. Though a section, a small though, would like to see party president Bhabananda Singh as the chief minister,” said a party legislator.
BJP would get support from Naga People’s Front, National People’s Party (both Naga dominated), LJP of Ram Vilas Paswan and an independent candidate, which would take their tally to 31 in 60 members house
