Manipur BJP leaders admit attacks on Congress MP Bimol Akoijam have backfired

Senior Manipur BJP leaders privately concede that attacks on Congress MP Bimol Akoijam have backfired. His growing support among Imphal Valley youths is forcing the party to reassess its strategy.Delhi Police registered an FIR against Akoijam on October 11 over the sexual harassment allegations. (File Photo: ITG)Imphal,Nov 1, 2026 12:08 ISTUnease is growing within the Manipur BJP over the party's handling of the controversy involving Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, with some senior leaders saying public attacks on him have backfired, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Akoijam's popularity has risen in recent months, particularly among young people in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley. While senior BJP leaders criticised him after Jawaharlal Nehru University dismissed him over sexual harassment complaints, party MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh publicly expressed trust in the MP and praised his efforts to raise Manipur's concerns in Parliament.Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, former chief minister N Biren Singh and state BJP president A Sharda Devi were among those who criticised Akoijam. However, a senior BJP leader told PTI that the personal attacks had proved counterproductive."Look, we should not have made personal attacks on Bimol. It has backfired totally. BJP state president Sharda Devi became overzealous and took out a rally against Bimol over the issue. It was a complete miscalculation of ground reality," the leader said. Senior BJP leaders have privately acknowledged that Akoijam's popularity has risen sharply, with some describing his appeal among young people in the valley as "unmatched". They believe the party should have handled the controversy more carefully.BJP youth workers have also given similar feedback to senior leaders and sought guidance on countering the Congress MP's growing influence, sources told PTI. One senior leader is learnt to have advised them to highlight the Congress central leadership's opposition to the National Register of Citizens and contrast it with Akoijam's strong support for the exercise in Manipur. However, not all BJP leaders believe Akoijam's growing public profile will become a sustained political challenge. Some say factionalism within the Manipur Congress, particularly the influence of the old guard led by former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, could limit his rise within the party. Congress sources also acknowledge that Akoijam's biggest political challenge may come from within his own party.JNU dismissed Akoijam, a former professor, on October 9 after an inquiry into sexual harassment complaints filed by 11 female students. Akoijam denied the allegations, questioned the procedure followed by the university and described the action as politically motivated.On October 10, the BJP's women's wing held a protest march towards Congress Bhavan in Imphal and demanded Akoijam's resignation from Parliament. Khemchand Singh also demanded his resignation, while Biren Singh questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's support for the MP.The BJP's campaign extended beyond Manipur. On October 13, a delegation of BJP women MPs, including Sharda Devi, met President Droupadi Murmu and sought her intervention. The party's women's wing held protests in Delhi and other places, while its youth wing organised another march in Imphal on October 16.There were also public demonstrations in support of Akoijam. On October 14, a large number of people, mostly youths, marched towards the BJP's state headquarters in Imphal and accused the ruling party of politically targeting the MP. Some protesters tried to enter the party office but were stopped by the police.Another group held a sit-in outside Akoijam's residence. Some participants said they had no political affiliation and believed he was being unfairly targeted. Robindro Singh, while expressing trust and respect for Akoijam, urged him to seek legal recourse to clear his name.The Manipur Congress has defended Akoijam. State Congress president Ibobi Singh accused the BJP of trying to gain political mileage from the allegations and divert attention from the continuing ethnic conflict. He questioned the timing of the allegations while maintaining that the law should take its course.Delhi Police registered an FIR against Akoijam on October 11 over the sexual harassment allegations. He later appeared before investigators and said he would challenge his dismissal through legal means.BJP insiders have also cited Akoijam's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election while assessing his political influence. The former academic defeated BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh in Inner Manipur by 1,09,801 votes, securing 3,74,017 votes against the BJP candidate's 2,64,216.In Singjamei, the Assembly constituency represented by Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, Akoijam received 9,386 votes against 3,937 secured by the BJP candidate, a lead of 5,449 votes. The controversy over his dismissal and the competing protests have now prompted sections of the BJP to reassess their response as his public support, especially among young people in the Imphal Valley, grows.- Ends