Manipur sports minister and NPP leader Letpao Haokip on Thursday joined the BJP in the presence of Union minister Bhupender Yadav. NPP is BJP’s ally in Manipur and Hakoip is the youth affairs and sports minister in the BJP-led government in the state. The move is being seen as a major setback for the NPP, which is an ally of the BJP. Senior BJP leaders have also hinted at no pre-poll alliance with NPP ahead of the elections. Earlier, NPP had also said it will go solo in the Manipur polls.
Yumnam Joykumar, the national vice president of the NPP in response to the news said that “The party will endure no loss from Mr. Haokip’s resignation, “I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” On the other hand Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh welcomed the youth and sports minister to the BJP.
