Updated
Imphal: A total of nine candidates, including three from the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, have filed their nominations at their respective offices of the Returning Officers on Wednesday, the last date for nominations.
BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh; Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Congress party, and the National Secretary of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) Maheshwar Thounaojam; Moirangthem Totomshana Nongshaba of Rashtriya Janhit Sangharsh Party (RJSP); Ngasepam Nilakanta Singh of Universal Family Party (UFP); and Haorungbam Sarat Singh – Independent candidate filed their nomination papers at the office of the Returning Officer at the Imphal West DC office.
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Basanta Kumar is currently serving as the Minister of Law & Legislative Affairs and Education in the N Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur. Th Basanta was elected as a BJP MLA in the 2022 Manipur Legislative Assembly Election from Nambol constituency AC in Bishnupur district. A retired IPS officer, he is the son of Th Chaoba Singh, the former Union Minister.
During the nomination, Basanta was accompanied by chief minister N Biren Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba, state BJP chief A Sharda Devi, ministers, MLAs, and party workers.
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Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra and other party leaders accompanied its candidate Prof. Akoijam Bimol during the filing of his nomination for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
Meanwhile, three candidates from the Outer Manipur seat, including former Congress legislator Alfred Kanngam Arthur, have officially filed their nominations at the Returning Officer’s office in Thoubal district. The two other candidates from the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency on an independent ticket are Dr Alyson Abonmai from the Zeliangrong community and former UNC president S Kho John from the Poumai community.
Dr Alyson Abonmai, popularly known as ‘The Gospel Cowboy,’ was earlier seeking a ticket from the BJP party. However, the saffron party has already declared to extend their support to NPF candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik, a retired principal chief commissioner of Income Tax, Ministry of Finance (Revenue) from Ukhrul district.