Imphal, July 23: The presence of a poster of Manipur PCC president T.N. Haokip among those of BJP leaders on road here today created a flutter among the people and in the political circles.
Passers-by were surprised this morning when they found the picture of Haokip along with the picture of chief minister N. Biren Singh, ministers, BJP president K. Bhabananda and legislators along the median of Kangla Pat road.
Haokip's photo was between Biren Singh and Bhabananda and the posters carried the picture of the leaders with the lotus symbol and Manipur Pradesh BJP written on them.
BJP sources said the posters along with BJP flags were put up along the median at 4 this morning in connection with the meeting of the party's state executive at an Imphal hotel today.
Haokip's photo was, however, replaced with that of Speaker Yumnam Khemchand around 8am.
The incident fuelled speculation and triggered confusion and anger within the Congress after it went viral on social media.
"This is a conspiracy of the BJP. I will take legal recourse against putting up of my photo with the BJP symbol and lodge a complaint with the cyber crime unit of the police for defaming me and damaging the image of the Congress," Haokip told reporters.
Stating that his principles and political career are not saleable, Haokip said that he will continue to be a loyal Congressman till his last breath.
The BJP was quick to clarify. K. Saratkumar Singh, the party's general secretary (administration), said the contract for putting up the posters and flags was awarded to Sharma Enterprises, an Imphal-based firm.
"The firm is solely responsible for the mistake of putting up Haokip's photo. We did not provide his photograph to the firm. The BJP does not bear any responsibility for the mistake," Saratkumar told The Telegraph.
He said the BJP has cancelled the agreement with the private firm following the faux pas.
The firm also clarified that the use of Haokip's photo was a mistake on its part.
The incident came at a time when the BJP has been allegedly trying to bring over Congress MLAs into its fold. So far, eight Congress legislators have joined the BJP, which heads a coalition government.
The strength of the Congress has been reduced to 20 in the 60-member House.
"Putting up my picture with the lotus symbol and that too along with other BJP leaders is very unfortunate and this is a direct insult not only to me but also to the party," Haokip said.
He claimed the BJP had offered money to join the party while he was Speaker during the 2002-2007 term. However, he had declined the offer, Haokip added.
