NPF leader Azo Nienu confident of K Timothy Zimik’s victory in Outer Manipur

Azo Nienu, legislature party leader of Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed confidence about party candidate K Timothy Zimik’s victory in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, voting for which is underway today.

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Azo Nienu said,” K Timothy Zimik has campaigned in both Kuki and Naga areas. 

The number of voters in Kuki areas is higher but the votes might be split between Congress candidate Ukhrul Alfred K Arthur and independent contender S Kho John. However, NPF has a stronger hold in the Naga and Meitei areas. Thus, I believe that when we combine everything, we have a better chance of winning.”

Azo Nienu also said that he is grateful to the BJP and National Peoples’s Party (NPP) for not fielding any candidate for Outer Manipur and extending support to K Timothy Zimik. 

“Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and Deputy Chief Minister T R Zeliang have campaigned for our candidate. I think we have an upper hand and we are confident that NPF will the Outer Manipur seat,” he added.

Voting is underway at 628 polling stations. A total of 1,010,618 eligible voters will exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 4 candidates in the fray.

The 13 Assembly constituencies where polling is underway are– Jiribam, Tengnoupal (ST), Phungyar (ST), Ukhrul (ST), Chingai (ST), Karong (ST), Mao (ST), Tadubi (ST), Tamei (ST), Tamenglong (ST), Nungba (ST), Tipaimukh (ST), and Thanlon (ST).

K Timothy Zimik, a retired Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer is up against Congress’s Ukhrul Alfred K Arthur, former Ukhrul MLA, and two independent candidates – Alyson Abonmei and S Kho John.

BJP did not field a candidate and decided to support Zimik.

Also Read: Lok Sabha polls phase 2: Voting in 7 Northeast seats begins, 74 candidates in fray