Congress loses another MLA in Manipur as ex-state chief resigns from assembly

MPCC sources said Konthoujam,a seasoned politician, also resigned from the primary membership of the Congress. MPCC interim president Nameirakpam Loken Singh told media that the party is yet to accept the resignation

Congress MLA Govindas Konthoujam on Wednesday resigned from the Manipur legislative assembly, officials said. This followed his resignation from the post of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president.

Govindas Konthoujam (Twitter)

Confirming this, the assembly secretariat issued a bulletin in this regard.“Shri Konthoujam Govindas, elected from 26-Bishnupur Assembly Constituency has resigned his membership from the Manipur Legislative Assembly,” says secretary M Ramani Devi of Manipur Legislative Assembly in the bulletin. “Consequent upon his resignation,26-Bishnupur assembly constituency is now lying vacant with effect from Wednesday, the 28th July 2021.”

With Konthoujam’s resigntaion, the Congress, which won 28 seats in the 2017 elections, is reduced to 16 MLAs in the assembly.

MPCC sources said Konthoujam,a seasoned politician, also resigned from the primary membership of the Congress. MPCC interim president Nameirakpam Loken Singh told media that the party is yet to accept the resignation. On reasons why Konthoujam resigned, Singh said, “It could be some personnel issues.”

Loken said Konthoujam’s phone was switched off and Congress Legislature Party leader O Ibobi Singh, Congress Working Committee member Gaikhangam, and AICC in-charge for Manipur Bhakta Charandas had failed to contact him.

In 2017 assembly elections, Congress emerged as the single largest party in Manipur by winning 28 of 60 seats. Despite winning 21 seats, BJP formed the government with support of four National People’s Party MLAs, four Naga People’s Front MLAs and one MLA each from TMC, Lok Janshakti Party and an Independent.