All Parties Hectic Campaign for Manipur Assembly Polls

Huge campaign is going on for the state assembly elections in Manipur as the 60-member State assembly is going to polls on the fourth and eighth of the this month amidst economic blockade.

Altogether 168 candidates including nine female candidates are trying their luck in the ensuing state assembly elections.

Star campaigners of BJP, Congress, National People’s Party, Naga People’s Front and Lok Janshakti Party are trying hard to draw attention of the state’s electorates to win as many seats as possible.

BJP chief addressed two election rallies in Kangpokpi and Moirang while Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed rallies in Imphal.

Addressing an election rally in Imphal, the BJP Chief said that the Modi government believes that North East is the gateway to the development of the country. He added that Manipur has the potential for becoming a model state. The BJP President also slammed the Congress for the lack of development projects due to the rampant corruption in the state.

BJP president slammed Congress party in an election rally in Moirang for doing nothing to lift the economic blockade for political gains. He appealed to the people to vote for BJP which wants to make Manipur a model state.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also addressed a rally in the state, urging the people to continue their support for the Congress party.

Elections to the 60 seat Manipur Assembly are being held in two phases on March four and eight. Altogether 168 candidates including nine female candidates are in the fray for the state assembly elections.

The ruling Congress party in the state is being given a tough fight by the BJP.

Irom Sharmila who was on a hunger strike against AFSPA for 16 long years, and gave it up to enter politics is contesting from the People Resurgence and Justice Allaince.

The Congress party has been in power in Manipur for the last 15 years. But in the last 6 months several Congress leaders have changed sides and joined the BJP.

The economic blockade is the dominant issue in the state, with all political parties making charges and counter charges around it.

After the announcement of seven new districts by the state government, the United Naga Council has called an Indefinite economic blockade from November 2016, which has severely affected the lives of people. The blocking of two key national highways which are the lifeline of Manipur has left the state in crisis, just before an election to the state assembly.