Netas repose faith in gods

IMPHAL: Amid Monday's uninspiring weather - the sun played hide-and-seek on the eastern horizon till noon, when it shone bright briefly only to give way to a cloudy sky for the rest of the day - election candidates, their workers and well-wishers prayed to God for success. Everyone in the state, especially the candidates, have been waiting impatiently and anxiously for Tuesday, when the results of the recently-held Manipur assembly polls will be declared.
Manipur went to polls on January 28 to elect 60 legislators to the 10th assembly. Following complaints of large-scale violence, booth rigging and malpractices like proxy voting, three rounds of repolling were held in the state - on February 4, March 4 and the last round on Monday.
With Judgment Day right upon them, candidates set aside political concerns and their daily schedule, reserving Monday only for praying to the gods for their success. Along with their family members, workers and well-wishers, candidates were reported to offer prayers to ensure their victory since the crack of dawn on Monday. While some of them kept their religious pursuits confined to their homes, others thronged various shrines across the state for the blessings of their favourite God.
"I, along with my family members, held a simple prayer session for my success. I'm told that my workers and well-wishers too worshipped for me," said Naga legislator K Raina, who contested from Tadubi constituency in Senapati district on a Naga People's Front (NPF) ticket.
Another candidate and legislator, Doukhomang Khongsai, who contested from the Kuki-dominated Saikul constituency in the same district, said, "With the Almighty's blessing, I came out victorious in the last election so I joined a small prayer session to seek his blessings."
Elections 2012 News
Manipur Assembly Elections 2012