Political parties gearing up for bye-polls in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Oct. 18 (EMN): With the announcement of the names of the candidates by ruling and opposition parties, political parties in Manipur have geared up their election activities for the forthcoming bye-elections amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The bye-elections to five assembly constituencies is scheduled to be held on November 7.

The state Chief Minister N Biren Singh accompanied by education minister S Rajen Singh also continued to join the election campaign for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Oinam Lukhoi at Wangoi Luxmi Bazaar in Imphal West district on Sunday. Oinam Lukhoi is contesting from Wangoi assembly constituency.

On October 16, Biren had also joined a similar election campaign for BJP candidate Lukhoi who is currently the agriculture minister in the state council of Ministers, at Paobitek Mayai Leikai,a minority concentrated area in the constituency.

On the other hand, the opposition leader and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi Singh is leading the election campaigns for the Congress party’s candidates in the state.

It may be mentioned that Congress had announced the names of four candidates for the forthcoming bye-elections to five legislative assemblies of Manipur on Saturday. The candidates are former minister Moirangthem Hemanta Singh for Wangjing-Tentha, Ex-MLA Salam Joy Singh for Wangoi, Md Azziul Haque Khan for Lilong and Lamtinthang Haokip for Saitu (ST). However the party is yet to announce candidate for Singhat (ST).

The bye-elections for five seats-Wangoi, Wangjing-Tentha, Lilong, Saitu (ST) and Singhat (ST) in Manipur were necessitated after their respective sitting MLAs resigned from the membership of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in August. Currently, 13 assembly constituencies are lying vacant in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly after the resignation and disqualification of MLAs.

Earlier, the ruling BJP had announced the names of four candidates for the upcoming bye-elections to the Assembly constituencies in Manipur. They are- Oinam Lukhoi Singh for Wangoi, Paonam Brojen for Wangjing-Tentha, Ngamthang Haokip for Saitu (ST), and Ginsuanhau Zou for Singhat (ST) Assembly constituency.

It may be worth mentioning here that the Election Commission of India announced the bye-elections to five Manipur constituencies for November 7. The last date for making nominations is October 20 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is October 23. The dates set aside for counting and completion of the election process, are November 10 and 12 respectively.