In fight to retain Manipur, Congress banks on Rahul Gandhi's visit

IMPHAL: Congress is banking on party president Rahul Gandhi's visit to revive its flagging presence in the only northeastern state where it holds both Lok Sabha seats - Manipur.

After holding on to the state for 15 years, Congress lost the assembly election in 2017, paving the way for BJP's entry into the state despite Congress having the numbers. BJP has never won a Lok Sabha seat in the state.

Rahul will get here from Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday afternoon and address an election rally at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East the following day, after which he will leave for Agartala, a Congress leader said.

As for the contenders, Congress legislature party leader and former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and former deputy chief minister Gaikhangham have sent the list of candidates for both seats to the party's central election committee. Candidates will be finalized after Rahul's visit.

The two seats will go to the polls in two phases - Outer Manipur in the first phase on April 11 and Inner Manipur in the second phase on April 18. Outer Manipur covers the hill districts, dominated by Nagas while Inner Manipur comprises the valley districts, where the majority Meiteis live.

There are seven ticket-seekers from Outer Manipur, including Sword Vashum, James Kashung, T Haokip, W Lalkholam Hangshing, KS Ngaite, TZ Haokip and John Manglianthang Zou. Incumbent MP Thangso Baite is not in the fray.

For Inner Manipur, there are nine Congress leaders in the contest for the party ticket - former state chief secretary Oinam Nabakishore, current MP T Meinya Singh , former IPS officer Sarangthem Manaobi, ex MLAs I Hemochandra Singh, Ng Bijoy, O Joy Singh and RK Anand.

BJP is yet to name its candidates for Manipur.

CPI nominee for Inner Manipur seat, Moirangthem Nara, rolled out his campaign on March 14 from Bishnupur district.