The election of two 60-member Manipur Assembly members was held in two parts on February 28 and March 5, with the results being counted today. Early trends show BJP lead on 12 seats while Congress lead on 5. These trends gave a clear edge to BJP over its near rival Congress.
Existing Chief Minister N Biren Singh is leading from his seat, Heingang. Another key politician who is testing his luck in the elections is Congress politician and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is running for the Thoubal seat.
Others in the race are Thongju’s PWD Minister Th Biswajit Singh; Bishenpur’s Govindas Konthoujam Singh, a former Manipur Congress president who just joined the BJP; Lamshang’s Education Minister S Rajen; and Wangoi’s Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi.
The elections in the northeastern state have become a four-cornered contest, with the coalition parties Bharatiya Janata Party, National People’s Party, and Naga People’s Front splitting up. Congress is seeking to reclaim power, while the BJP is looking for another opportunity. The ruling party is expected to win with ease, according to exit polls.
During the last election which was held in 2017, no party won a majority and Manipur saw a hung assembly. But BJP managed to gain power with the support of other smaller parties and independents. In the last election, Congress has emerged as a singles largest party.
