Veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Rishang Keishing is contesting from his reserved Phungyar constituency where eight candidates are in the fray.
In the 2000 assembly elections, his main rival was Mr Wingnaoshang Keishing. Mr Rishang defeated his young rival by a margin of 1,200 votes. Mr Wingnaoshang is, however, contesting on Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) ticket this time.
Another former chief minister Rk Dorendro Singh of the BJP is contesting from Yaiskul in a five-pronged contest. His main rivals would be former minister E Kunjeshwor Singh of the Congress and President of the Manipur Olympic Association G Joykumar Sharma of the newly formed Manipur National Conference (MNC). MNC President and former chief minister W Nipamacha Singh is fighting to retain his Wangoi seat in a quadruped contest. Professor Y Mani Singh of the MSCP would be his main rivals.
Mr Radhabinod Koijam, the only Samajwadi Party chief minister in the country, is locked at Thangmeiband constituency in a multi-cornered contest of nine candidates. Mr Bhorot Singh, BJP state president, would be his main rival.
In the last assembly election, the BJP state president was defeated by a margin of 863 votes.
Altogether 368 candidates, including five women, would contest the two phase elections to the 60-member Manipur assembly.
No party in Manipur has fielded candidates in all the 60 assembly seats. Congress has fielded 58 candidates followed by federal party of Manipur and the BJP has 48 and 46 candidates respectively.
In all 14,71,216 electorate, including 7,53,980 female voters, would exercise their franchise in the coming polls.
Elections would be held in 40 valley constituencies on February 14 and in 20 hill constituencies on February 21. Bureau Report