Imphal: UPA allies Congress and Trinamool
Congress will cross swords in the Manipur Assembly polls with both parties putting up 60 and 47 candidates respectively.
While Congress is contesting in all the seats, this will
be the first time that Trinamool is entering the assembly poll
fray in a big way.
The only Trinamool MLA, Sarat Singh, had made it to the
House after winning the by-poll for Konthoujam seat in Imphal
West district last year.
Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee would campaign in the
state and her programme shall be finalised soon, party leader
and observer in Manipur Sourav Choudhuri said.
Election office sources said Manipur State Congress Party
has fielded 38, NCP 23 and JD(U) 19 candidates.
Prominent candidates in the fray are Chief Minister O
Ibobi Singh, Forest Minister Th Debendra Singh, Food and Civil
Supply Minister Y Erabot, Works Minister Ranjit Singh (all
Congress), senior NCP leader and former chief minister
Radhabinod Koijam, Manipur People`s Party (MPP) president
Nimaichand Luwang and senior MPP leader L Chandramani,
election office sources said.
A clear picture about the candidates would be known after
withdrawal of nominations tomorrow. A total of 291 candidates
are in the fray after the scrutiny yesterday.
Election office sources said central and state forces
have been provided to all the candidates irrespective of party
affiliation.
Eight insurgent outfits have `banned` the Congress ahead
of the January 28 polls for being against what they called the
`revolutionary movement` in the state.
PTI
