Imphal, March 14: The BJP in a political masterstroke has managed to snatch the poll victory from Congress's hand and is all set to stake claim on its first ever victory in the state of Manipur.

The new government will likely be headed by Nongthombam Biren, a former Congress man who joined the BJP last year. Biren has already met with the Governor of the state and is bolstered by support from majority of the regional parties including the alliance in Nagaland. 

In a day of fast-paced developments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost no time to cobble up the numbers required to form government. The BJP, which was at second spot in the state, winning 21 seats to the Congress party's 28, did not waste time in getting four MLAs each of the National People's Party and the Naga People's Front (NPF), which is also one of NDA's alliance partners at the Centre, to its side, plus three other lawmakers. The BJP now has the support of 32 members in the 60-seat assembly. 
 
Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, in his attempt to hold on to power, refused to step down when asked by Governor Najma Heptulla, saying the numbers were on his side. However, later in the day, Ibobi Singh resigned on MOnday night when the numbers slid to BJP's side. 

Biren had been editor of Maharolgi Thoudang, a vernacular daily. Later he joined politics and got elected from his Heingang constituency. He had been a cabinet minister in the Congress government for over 10 years holding important portfolios. He got elected from Heingang in the March elections. 
 
As the new CM of the state, Biren promises to dig at the roots of corruption and bring a sense of law and order in the state without the dissapointing the people of Manipur who have for the last few months suffered majorily becasue of an econominc blockade imposed due to infighting between Nagalland and MAnipur tribes. 

Earlier, Ibobi Singh claimed that he enjoyed the support of the four MLAs of the National People's Party on the basis of a letter he got from the party soon after the declaration of the assembly results. But, Heptulla pointed out to him that just a letter of support would not suffice and insisted on the physical presence of the four NPP MLAs. 
 
However, NPP General Secretary Vivekraj Wangkhem said: "There have been changes. We have decided to support the BJP. This is final. There is no question of our party supporting the Congress even if Ibobi is given a chance."
 
Criticising the developments, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said that the party that came at second spot has no right to form government, and slammed the BJP for "stealing elections" in Goa and Manipur.