Manipur Works Minister Th Biswajit filed his nomination for the upcoming 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections from Thongju assembly constituency from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket on Monday.
He filed two nomination papers supported by a proposer each at the office of the returning officer Subinson Sapam.
The seventh day of the filing of nominations also witnessed 31 others including two women candidates filing their nominations in Imphal East district.
Minister Th Biswajit told the media that AFSPA issue cannot be made as a particular issue of the election. “Because it has been a long existing matter, no other political party should use it as an issue in connection with the election, and the people will also not consider it as an election issue,” he said.
He exuded confidence that the BJP is going to win in over 40 seats in the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election. He said that the BJP always follows the coalition dharma, indicating the continuation of the coalition government in the next state Legislative Assembly.
“I am not the authority to tell on how the next government will be formed by the BJP, but I believe that the BJP will not break the coalition dharma which has been following under the guidance of the senior leadership of the party,” he asserted.
What makes him so confident of BJP coming back to power in the state once more is the trust the party gains from the people, he said. The people of the state are happy with the BJP government’s services for the state of Manipur other than taking up various developmental projects, he added.
“One can see that the BJP government is delivering good services to the people. Manipur has been brought to the nation’s attention by the BJP government by renaming Mount Harriet as Mount Manipur. Manipur has been given priority by the BJP government to promote its culture and traditions,” he said.
Concerning the chief ministerial candidate, Th Biswajit said that there are no differences in any decision made by the elders and senior leaders of the BJP. Whatever decision that is taken in a consensus manner by seniors and elders of the BJP will be followed by all the BJP workers including those elected members, he said.
In connection with the recent crisis among the BJP aspirants and the statement made by the chief spokesperson Chongtham Bijoy to the media recently, Biswajit said that Chongtham Bijoy was a person who had been and still is associating with the various activities of BJP.
“I believe in Chongtham Bijoy and I am sure he will not have any bad intentions towards BJP as it is his party as well,” Biswajit further said, adding that every person has the right to feel angry over some matters which he or she may feel humiliated. And whatever the chief spokesperson of the BJP had stated in the media was because of his anger, it will be settled soon,” Biswajit said.
When asked about Thongju assembly constituency, Th Biswajit said that last time he won the election by getting over 62 per cent of the total voters and this time he is sure to get more than 70 per cent of the total votes
Seram Neken Singh from the Indian National Congress (INC) and Sanglakpam Preshyojit Sharma from Janata DAL (United) also filed their nominations from Thongju assembly constituency.
For Kshetrigao assembly constituency, MLA Nahakpam Indrajit Singh filed his nomination for the upcoming election from BJP ticket at the office of returning officer Subinson Sapam. Also filing their nominations in the same constituency are Sheikh Noorul Hassan of the NPP and Punnam Rani Wangkhem of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
In Wangkhei assembly constituency, MLA Yumkham Erabot Singh filed his nomination from the NPP ticket. Thangjam Arunkumar of JD-U and Rajkumar Priyobarta Singh of INC also filed their nominations at the office of returning officer Pooja Elangbam.
In Yaiskul assembly constituency, Thounaojam Brinda of the JD-U, Ningombam Helendro Singh of INC and Rajkumar Suraj Singh of Shiv Sena filed their nominations at the office of the returning officer Pooja Elangbam.
In Keirao assembly constituency, MLA L Rameshor Meetei of BJP filed his nomination at the office of returning officer Karam Uma Devi. Further, Thongram Tony Meetei of INC, MD Nasiruddin Khan of NPP, Yumnam Shanta Singh of JD-U, MD Islamuddin (MI) Khan of NCP and Toijam Debananda of Shiv Sena also filed their nominations from Keirao assembly constituency.
For Andro assembly constituency Th Shyamkumar filed his nomination from BJP ticket. Lourembam Sanjoy also filed his nomination from the NPP at the office of returning officer Karam Uma Devi.
For the Lamlai assembly constituency, Mongjam Poireihenba of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) filed his nomination at the office of returning officer Surma Thiyam. Achoibam Deben Singh of the INC and Sapam Kangleipal Meetei as Independent candidate also filed their nominations for Lamlai assembly constituency.
For Khurai assembly constituency, Laitonjam Jayananda Singh of NPP; Toijam Lokendro Singh of JD-U; Heishnam Subhas Singh of LJP (Ram Villas); Khuraijam Ratankumar Singh of NCP and Khagokpam Khamba of RPI (A) filed their nominations at the office of returning officer Elangbam Amuthoi Khanganba.
Khurai assembly constituency MLA Leishangthem Susindro Singh of the BJP filed his nomination on February 5 while CPI candidate RK Amusana Singh (alias Rajkumar Amusana Singh) filed his nomination on February 4.
For Khudrakpam assembly, Th Lokeshwar Singh of the INC and Thangjam Mohendro Singh of the BJP filed their nominations at the office of returning officer Surma Thiyam.
Filing of nominations for the first phase of the upcoming Assembly elections to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly began on February 1. Nomination papers will be received till February 8 and scrutiny of nomination papers will be taken up on February 9.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature will be February 11. The first phase of the two-phase polling for the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly will be held in 38 assembly constituencies on February 27 and in 22 seats in the second phase on March 3. The counting of votes will be on March 10.
