Congress releases 1st list of 40 candidates for Manipur polls

Imphal, January 22, 2022

Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and 11 sitting MLAs are among the 40 candidates announced by the opposition Congress on Saturday for the Manipur assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.

According to the list, Okram Ibobi Singh, who was the chief minister for a record 15 years (2002 to 2017), will contest from the Thoubal assembly seat while his son Surjakumar Okram is the candidate from Khangabok and former Deputy Chief Minister and sitting MLA Gaikhangam from Nungba.

State Congress President Nameirakpam Loken Singh (Nambol), T.N Haokip (Saikot), former Assembly Speaker Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh (Khundrakpam), and Ratankumar Singh, who was recently appointed working president of Manipur Congress (Mayang Imphal) are also in the first list.

Several former ministers and ex-MLAs are also nominated by the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress.

The CEC's General Secretary and former Union Minister Mukul Wasnik in Delhi announced the candidates' list where names of only two women candidates -- Akoijam Miraibai Devi (Patsoi) and Thokchom Ithoibi Devi (Oinam) -- find their places. Congress sources said that the party has been trying to ally with a few local parties and based on the outcome of the ongoing talks, the next list of candidates would be announced.

IANS