Only 4 women candidates in first phase Manipur poll fray

 Slim chance for ‘non-serious candidates'   Newmai News Network Imphal | February 15   Four women candidates, including rights activist Irom Sharmila, are set to contest the upcoming first phase of Manipur assembly election which is expected to be a “candidate-centric” election considering the size of the constituencies.   Social Welfare Minister and INC (Congress) candidate AK Mirabai Devi is hoping to retain Patsoi seat; former MLA and BJP candidate Nemcha Kipgen will contest from Kangpokpi (ST); Manipur National Democratic Front candidate Yumnam Romola Devi from Keishamthong; and Congress candidate L Tilotama will take on former MLA and BJP candidate O Joy and lone LJP MLA Karam Shyam in Langthabal constituency.   In Manipur each constituency has over 30,000 voters, which is not a standard size comparing to that of other states and hence this election will witness “candidate-centric” polls, according to some political analysts who are closely observing the electioneering trend in the poll-bound state.   Polling will be held on March 4 in 38 constituencies - 11 in Imphal East including Jiribam, 13 in Imphal West, six in Bishnupur and five in Churachandpur and three in Sadar Hills. Counting of vote will take place on March 11.   The small electorate is unlikely to be influenced by major issues like Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the Manipur polls, but they are rather likely to be candidate-centric, popularity of the candidates and money power, the analysts observed.   They reiterated, “Choice of the voters is going to be purely candidate-centric and so issues are not going to dominate this election.” CM Ibobi Singh, who may rightly be called a “serious candidate”, managed to secure 82 percent vote in the last assembly election held in 2012.   The maximum vote share is likely to go in favour of “serious candidates” while victory for “non-serious candidates” is a “fat chance,” the analysts added.   Nominations for the first phase of Manipur polls ended yesterday. Altogether 215 candidates filed nominations for the polls amidst continuing hectic electioneering all over the state organising roadshows, meetings and door-to-door campaigning.  

Ibobi chides BJP over allegations

  IMPHAL,  February 15(NNN): Attacking former Congress leaders and ministers who have switched side to BJP, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said they are making absurd and unwarranted allegations against the Congress government.   Ibobi was speaking at a flag hoisting ceremony of Congress candidate Naoroibam Ratan who is contesting the ensuing Manipur polls from Heingang where he will take on former minister and Congress strongman Nongthombam Biren of BJP.   “Former Congress leaders are making funny allegations against my government. These accusations are ridiculous,” Ibobi Singh said. The state BJP has been hurling a series of charges against the Ibobi government during campaign meetings for the ensuing state assembly polls.   The two-phase Manipur assembly polls are scheduled to be held on March 4 and 8. Deputy Chief Gaikhangam and other Congress leaders were present at the event. Without naming any group, Gaikhangam said he was threatened of attack earlier.   “But I personally did not face any disturbance during my recent visit to Tamenglong headquarters to file my nomination in the Deputy Commissioner’s office there on February 13. No one raised voice against me and my trip was peaceful. Some people who oppose me might have burnt my effigy after I returned to Imphal,” he said.   The Manipur Deputry Chief Minister blamed the NSCN (IM), the BJP and the United Naga Council (UNC) for the ongoing economic blockade.   The blockade has been continuing for over three months on national highways connecting Manipur with the rest of the world over new district creation issue.