Newmai News Network Imphal | February 6 The usual election tempo is yet to be witnessed in Manipur even as polls are just a month away. Several issues prevailing in the state are considered to be the factor for this slow pace of electioneering this time. In recent time, Inner Line Permit (ILP) related issues and the new district creation issue have tremendously affected the normal life in Manipur. The state goes to the polls on March 4 and 8. Meanwhile, major political parties like the Congress and the BJP are going to be key players in the ensuing state assembly election expected to be a high voltage one. Senior political analyst BB Sharma said a straight electoral battle between Congress and BJP will take place in the valley. “There’ll be a direct fight between the Congress and BJP in the valley and a triangular contest among Congress, Naga People’s Front (NPF) and BJP in the hills. But the actual battle will take place between NPF and BJP in the Naga-dominated districts,” Sharma told Newmai News Network. In the Kuki-majority hill districts, he said, there’ll be a close fight between the Congress and the BJP. With the Congress trying to retain power, the party draws its strength mainly from the valley in the election, the opposition BJP has been making efforts to make inroads into the state. The incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has been at the helm of running successfully a Congress government. He is contesting the polls from Thoubal, a seat he has been holding for the three straight terms. Sharmila to contest against Manipur CM Human rights activist Irom Sharmila is pitted against Ibobi Singh in the polls. Sharmila will contest from Thoubal on the ticket of People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) which has announced to field its nominees in at least 10 seats. Hill based organisations are generally critical of the Manipur government saying it is influenced by the valley based organisations. The sensitive state has witnessed polarisation of its society and polity over different issues. If any party wants to claim power in the House, the Naga-majority constituencies in the hills districts play a crucial role. Campaigning for the 11th Manipur State Assembly election had been moving at a slow pace, but now the activity is gradually picking up after the BJP and the Congress declared their prospective nominees for the 60 seats. The second phase of Manipur polls on March 8 will cover 22 assembly constituencies. A total of 18,07,843 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the two-phase election for which 2,794 polling stations will be set up. In the run up to the election, candidates in the Manipur generally carry out door-to-door campaigning either in the morning or evening. They usually seek blessings of elders for victory in elections at every house by bowing before them. Their supporters and workers then distribute sweets to every family member. Road shows, rallies and meetings are also held as part of the electoral campaigning. Light refreshments are given to all at the end of the campaign. Meetings are also held in local areas by supporters of candidates where candidates trying to highlight the flaws of rival parties and capture the voter’s attention. But political parties are not allowed this time by the Election Commission to use election posters and flyers.
