The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to return to power in Manipur for the second time, securing a majority of its own with 32 seats in the state Assembly election 2022.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh termed the victory of the BJP historic. “Thank you, Manipur! The historic victory that we have achieved today is a testament of the people’s faith of Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and citizen centric governance. My heartiest congratulations to all the Karyakartas of BJP,” tweeted N Biren.
The Congress party that emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats in the 2017 election was decimated. They managed to secure only five seats and suffered a major defeat in a handful of its remaining strongholds like Nungba, Saikot, Wabagai, Patsoi, Nambol.
Also Read: Six Congress MLA defeated, Ibobi accuses BJP of disrupting free and fair election in Manipur
Smaller parties like the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), National People’s Party (NPP) and Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA), Naga People’s Front (NPF) recorded an impressive win, particularly JD-U and KPA.
For the first time, JD-U opened an account in the state since its entry to the state in 2003, securing six seats, including Wangkhei, Thangmeiband, Churachandpur, Tipaimukh, Jiribam and Lilong.
The KPA, which was recently formed, also opened its account in Saikul and Singhat. It fielded only two candidates.
Also Read: CM Biren makes record win, says open to alliance with like-minded parties, rules out NPP
BJP’s ally, NPP with seven seats and NPF five seats, strengthened its holds. NPP won in Tamenglong, Tadubi, Kakching, Oinam, Wangoi, Kshetrigao and Moirang. The NPF won in Phungyar, Chingai, Ukhrul, Tamei and Mao. Three independent candidates were also elected from Saitu, Karong and Keishamthong.
NPP, however, suffered damage with the lost of deputy chief minister Y Joykumar and former minister L Jayantakumar.
The state elections 2022 that was marked by several incidents of violence and other unlawful activities witnessed 89.3 per cent voter turnout, as 265 total candidates contested for the 60 seats of the Manipur Legislative Assembly 2022. Counting of ballots was conducted across 41 counting halls spread over 12 counting centres in the state. The general election was held in 60 constituencies under 16 districts in the state in two phases. The first phase was held on February 28 and second phase on March 5 and repoll was conducted on March 5 and 8.
From Our Thoubal Correspondent
In Lilong Assembly Constituency, JD(U) candidate and former minister Md Abdul Nasir, who got 16,886 votes, defeated his closest competitor and BJP’s only Muslim candidate MLA Y Antas Khan who got 16,316 votes.
In Wangkhem Assembly Constitution, INC candidate and former MLA Keisam Meghachandra, who got 8,889 votes, defeated his closest competitor BJP candidate Yumnam Nabachandra who got 7597 votes.
In Heirok Assembly Constituency, BJP candidate and former Education Minister Thokchom Radheshyam, who got 13,589 votes, defeated his closest competitor INC candidate M Okendro who got 13186 votes.
In Wangjing Tentha Assembly Constituency, BJP candidate and former MLA Paonam Brojen who got 15,765 votes, defeated his closest viral and INC candidate M Hemanta who got 13852 votes.
In Khangabok Assembly Constituency, INC candidate and former MLA Okram Surjakumar, who got 17,435 votes, defeated his closest competitor and BJP candidate Kh Menjor who got 9632 votes.
In Wabagai Assembly Constituency, BJP candidate Usham Deben, who got 9138 votes, defeated his closest competitor and INC candidate, the former MLA Md Fajur Rahim who got 9088 votes.
In Kakching Assembly Constituency, former MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwor, who got 8546 votes, defeated his closest competitor and BJP candidate Y Surchandra who got 7341 votes.
In Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency, BJP candidate MLA Yumnam Radheshyam, who got 8,613 votes, defeated his closest competitor, INC candidate Huidrom Jiten, who got 6584 votes.
In Sugnu Assembly Constitution, INC candidate and former MLA Kangujam Ranjit, who got 12,673 votes, defeated his closest competitor and BJP candidate Mayanglambam Binod, who got 11657 votes.
Our Churachandpur Correspondent
Several former ministers and heavy weights were knocked out, while five new contenders stole the show in the elections to the six assembly constituencies in Churachandpur district. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinched three assembly seats, while the JD-U won two seats and KPA one seat.
The three seats won by the BJP are 56-Thanlon AC, 57-Henglep AC and 59-Saikot AC, while the Janata Dal-United won in 55 Tipaimukh AC and 58-Churachandpur AC, and KPA won the 60-Singngat AC.
The new winners included former DGP Manipur, LM Khaute, who defeated his nearest contender BJP candidate V Hangkhanlian by winning 18,231 votes of the 47,671 total votes received in Churachandpur AC. Others are Ngulsanglur Sanate from 55 Tipaimukh AC (JDU), Letzamang Haokip from 57 Henglep AC (BJP), and Paulienlal Haokip from 59 Saikot AC (BJP) with 1289, 7827 and 5671 votes respectively.
The newly formed KPA candidate Chinlungthang from Singngat AC, which was earlier won by the BJP, defeated his nearest rival by a margin of 2,461 votes. He won 12,098 votes of the total 23,632 votes polled.
Incumbent and sitting BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte in Thanlon AC defeated NPP candidate Khangthang Tonsing by winning 4,863 votes of the 13,340 total votes. Tonsing got 4,114 votes.
Former chairman of MANIREDA & MTDC Ginsuanhau Zou (BJP) from 60 Singngat AC, former minister V Hangkhanlian (BJP) from 58 Churachandpur Assembly Constituency, former minister Chaltonlien Amo (BJP) from 55 Tipaimukh AC and former minister Manga Vaiphei (INC) from 57 Henglep AC and former minister and speakers of Manipur Assembly TN Haokip (INC) from 59 Saikot AC lost the elections.
