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Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 3 (EMN): National People’s Party (NPP), a coalition partner in the BJP-led government in Manipur, on Thursday announced a third list of nine candidates for the upcoming Manipur Assembly elections on February 27 and March 3. So far NPP has announced 42 candidates.
The third list of NPP includes two former BJP MLAs Y Erabot (Wangkhei) and M Rameshwar (Kakching) who were denied BJP tickets along with another former BJP MLA P Sharatchandra(Moirang)when the party announced its all 60 candidates recently.
The other seven candidates are S Kangleipal(Lamlai), Abbas Khan(Jiribam), Ningam Chamroi(Chingai), Zangkhomang Haokip(Tengnoupal), Seikholal Haokip(Saikul), Thangthatling Sinate(Tipaimukh) and Th Thangzalian(Churachandpur).
Interestingly, Nationalist Congress Party also declared five candidates for the polls on Thursday.
They are Dr. George T Haokip (Saikot), Poonam Rani Wangkhem(Kshetrigao), Oinam Haridas(Wangkhem), Khuraijam Ratankumar(Khurai) and Md Islamuddin(Keirao).
On January 30, the ruling BJP had announced all 60 candidates including three female candidates while its coalition partner Naga People’s Front had announced 10 candidates.
After its first list of 40 candidates on January 22, the opposition Congress has so far released 54 candidates, including former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh from Thoubal assembly seat, 12 sitting MLAs, 11 former MLAs and 31 new faces, for the Manipur Assembly elections.
On the other hand, the Janata Dal (United) has so far announced 36 candidates including 14 former legislators while Shiv Sena had so far named eight candidates.
Meanwhile, Republican Party of India (Athawale) also announced five candidates including a former minister Dr. Nimaichand Luwang(Wangkhem) who was denied a BJP ticket for the polls.
The others are all first timers.
Meanhwile, Manipur Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand Singh of the BJP filed his nomination papers from his native Singjamei seat on Thursday for the ensuing Assembly elections on February 27 and March 3.
Khemchand filed three nomination papers supported by three proposers each, at the office of the Returning Officer (RO) P Yaitongba of Singjamei constituency.
The third day of filing of nominations with respect to the first phase of poll to be held at 38 constituencies in five electoral districts on Feb 27,also witnessed four other candidates, including ex-Minister K Shyam, filing their nomination papers from Langthabal.
BJP candidate Shyam had served as Consumer Affairs minister in the BJP-led ministry.
Former AITC legislator K Sharat Singh who is now a NPP candidate filed his nominations from Konthoujam Constituency.
Sharat’s NPP colleague Kh Loken Singh who also lost in the last elections, filed his nomination from Wangoi Constituency.
Another NPP candidate, Ayangbam Oken Singh also filed from Sekmai (Scheduled Caste) Constituency.
On Feb. 2, Janata Dal (United) candidate Kh Devendro Singh had filed his nomination from Sekmai (Scheduled Caste) Constituency.
So far six candidates (three NPP, two BJP and one JD-U) have filed their nominations. Last date of nomination is Feb. 8, and scrutiny is on Feb 9. The last date for withdrawal is Feb. 11.