Manipur Elections Phase 2- A look at key contests

A total of over 8.40 lakh people are expected to cast their votes in the second phase of Manipur Assembly elections with 92 candidates in fray. Of the 92, only

A total of over 8.40 lakh people are expected to cast their votes in the second phase of Manipur Assembly elections with 92 candidates in fray. Of the 92, only two are female candidates.

Polling is set to take place in the electoral districts of Thoubal which has 10 assembly seats, Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong with 3 Assembly seats each, Chandel with 2 seats and 1 assembly constituency in Jiribam.

While the BJP is contesting all 22 seats in this phase, the Congress is in fray in 18 seats, the NPP in 11 and the NPF and JD-U in 10 each.

This will be a crucial phase of polling for all parties including the ruling BJP which is looking to better its tally in the hill districts. It will also be a litmus test for the Congress which is looking to retain its 2017 seats. The NPF and the NPP, both of whom are aiming double digits this time will also hope for a good show.

Among key candidates in fray in this phase is Okram Ibobi Singh. The veteran Congress leader and three-time Manipur CM is once again contesting from his home turf of Thoubal where he had registered a thumping victory winning by over 10,000 votes in 2017.

BJP’s Thokchom Radheshyam Singh will look to defend his Heirok assembly seat.  Radheshyam is contesting against Congress’ Moirangthem Okendra and NPP’s N Diten Singh. Former Manipur education minister Radheshyam had defeated Moirangthem Okendra by around 2000 votes in 2017.

Letpao Haokip, who joined BJP from the NPP just ahead of elections, will contest from the Tengnoupal Assembly seat this time. Haokip had won from the Chandel seat in 2017.

Congress’ K Meghachandra Singh will look to retain the Wangkhem Assembly seat as he takes on Y Nabachandra Singh of the BJP. Nabachandra Singh was the runners up in 2017 losing by over 2500 votes while contesting from Northeast India Development Party.

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