Imphal, Oct. 14: Manipur Congress stalwart Khwairakpam Loken formally joined the BJP today.

Loken, a former Sangolband MLA who had also held the posts of Manipur PCC vice-president and chairman of the Planning and Development Authority, was warmly welcomed by the BJP at its Manipur office.

He came with a large number of supporters from Sangolband to attend the ceremony.

"I couldn't go against the will of my supporters. All my supporters resigned with me from the Congress to join the BJP," Loken said.

"We need a complete change in Manipur and for this, people from both the hills and the valley need to work together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leader Amit Shah want people-oriented leaders for a change in the nation. I joined the BJP because of them," he added.

"My politics is to save Manipur and I believe only the BJP can remove social injustice and unrest in the state. From today, I offer my services to the BJP which is the only party that can save our state," said Loken.

Loken was a member of the Congress since 2000 and served as its secretary, general secretary and vice-president. He won from Sagolband in the previous election on a Congress ticket.

BJP legislator Khumukcham Joykishan said, "This is an interesting moment. The BJP gets strong pillars while the Congress gets weak pillars. Loken is a strong pillar of the Congress. More of those who want to save Manipur will join the BJP. Time has come for the Congress to fall apart."

"Next year's election will be a battle between the destroyers of Manipur and the saviours of Manipur," Joykishan added.

Thounaojam Chaoba, the convener of the BJP's state election management committee, said, "In order to abolish corruption, the first and foremost thing to do is to abolish the Congress. There is no corruption in those states where the BJP rules. The BJP has overthrown the Congress government in Assam. In Manipur, the number of Congress seats will be reduced to a single digit in the coming election."

A former Manipur PCC spokesperson who was also minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, N. Biren, also left the Manipur PCC after Y. Irabot, who was minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, resigned.

Irabot was the first Congress MLA to join the BJP.

Former minister for rural development and panchayati raj Francis Ngajokpa left the Congress yesterday.

Three members of the Imphal Municipal Council, who resigned with Loken on May 11 this year, also joined the BJP today.