Congress retains Manipur
With the support of CPI & RJD, Congress-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) forms the government in Manipur.

North East News Agency

It’s Ibobi Singh once again. Defeating the anti-incumbency factor and silencing the critics, Ibobi Singh created a record of sorts by becoming the Chief Minister of Manipur for two consecutive terms, a feat which no one could achieve earlier. Though the Congress was one short of simple majority, the party managed to form the government with the help of CPI and RJD. While the CPI has won four seats, the RJD on the other hand has secured three seats.        With the Congress staking claim to form the next Government with the support of the CPI (4 MLAs) and RJD (3 MLAs), leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Okram Ibobi is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister tomorrow afternoon at Raj Bhawan.

A communique issued from the Governor’s Secretariat said that following the dissolution of the 8th Assembly, Chief Minister O Ibobi and the Council of Ministers submitted their resignations to the Governor. The resignation was accepted, but the Governor has requested Ibobi Singh and his Council of Ministers to continue in office till alternate arrangements are made.

A copy of the gazette notification, constituting the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly was submitted to the Governor’s Secretariat, said the statement and added that the leader of the CLP, O Ibobi staked claim to form the next Government. The CLP leader submitted a list of 36 MLAs including 29 Congress MLAs, four CPI MLAs and three RJD MLAs. No other group has staked claim, added the statement.

To pave the way for the formation of the next Government, the Governor has appointed I Ibobi, leader of the CLP and Secular Progressive Front in the 9th Assembly as the Chief Minister. The Governor has also asked Ibobi to submit the list of the new Council of Ministers. Senior most MLA elect in the 9th Assembly has also been appointed by the Governor to administer the oath of office to the newly elected MLAs.

Before staking the claim to form the next government in the State, the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) held detailed discussion about the formation of the next government. The meeting was attended by all SPF constituents. Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (I) president Gaikhangam, Congress Legislature Party leader O Ibobi, senior Congress leaders Th Debendra, Phungzathang Tonsing, newly elected leader of the CPI Legislature Party Ph Parijat, Secretary of the State unit of CPI B. Sharma and senior CPI leader Dr Nara attended the Steering Committee meeting. The State unit president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RAJ) and former chief minister of the State W Nipamacha Singh has also submitted a written statement to the Governor declaring the support of his party to the SPF Government. Thereafter the meeting agreed that SPF partnership will continue in the next Government.

Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party unanimously elected Chief Minister O Ibobi as its leader. Ibobi was chosen as the unanimous leader of the CLP during a meeting of the newly elected Congress MLAs. Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and AICC Secretary in charge of Manipur Mulchand Meina were present at the meeting. Ibobi Singh’s name was proposed by MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam. Gaikhangam claimed that with the unanimous decision to appoint Ibobi as the leader of the CLP, the next Government led by the Congress will be able to focus on peace and development. Moreover the issue of unity and integrity will be in safe hands. Ibobi, on his part, thanked all the Congress MLAs for reposing their faith and trust in him. He assured that no efforts would be spared to ensure that the party lives up to the expectations of the people. Ibobi is confident that Armed Forces Special Powers Act will be repealed from the whole of Manipur if the law and order situation improves. He informed that the Act has been lifted from seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipality area.

Significantly, during the meeting of the Steering Committee, it was agreed that the consent of the high command of the two SPF partners will be sought before any final decision is taken for the two parties to strike a partnership.

Minute discussions were held in connection with Government formation as well as the modalities on which the political partners will work in the coalition Government.

After the meeting, members of the Steering Committee proceeded to Raj Bhawan and submitted a list of 36 MLAs to the Governor to pave the way for the formation of the next Government.

List of New MLAs

Congress

1) K Ranjit - Sugnu

2) Okram Ibobi - Thoubal

3) K Meghachandra- Wangkhem

4) M Oken - Heirok

5) M Hemanta- Wangjing Tentha

6) Okram Ibobi - Khangabok

7) Y Surchandra - Kakching

8) E Dwijamani - Hiyanglam

9) DD Thaisii - Karong 

10) N Biren - Heingang

11) Bijoy Koijam - Thongju

12) Md Allauddin - Keirao

13) L Nandakumar - Uripok

14) Dr Kh Loken - Sagolband

15)L.Jayentakumar- Keishamthong

16) I Hemochandra - Singjamei

17) E Kunjeswar - Yaiskul -

18) Y Erabot - Wangkhei

19) W Brajabidhu - Lamshang

20) Dr Budhi - Konthoujam

21) Kh Ratankumar- Mayang Imphal

22) N Loken - Nambol

23) M Manindra - Moirang

24) T Mangibabu - Thanga

25) K Govindas - Bishnupur

26) Th Debendra - Jiribam

27) Gaikhangam - Nungba

28) Manga Vaiphei - Henglep

29)Phungzathang- Churachandpur

30) TN Haokip - Saikot

Independent

1) M Thorii - Mao

2) Haokholet - Saitu

3) K Panmei - Tamenglong

4) S Kunjakishore - Patsoi

MPP

1) O Joy - Langthabal

2) Dr Ng Bijoy - Khurai

3) Th Shyamkr - Andro

4)R. K. Anand-Naoriya Pakhangalakpa

5) I Ibohalbi - Oinam

NCP

1) RB Koijam - Thangmeiband

2) S Joy - Wangoi

3)Th Nabakumar - Khundrakpam

4) Th Nandkishore - Kshetrigao

5) Doukhomang K - Saikul

CPI

1) Ph Parijat - Lamlai

2) N Mangi - Kumbi

3) H Borajao - Sekmai

4) Usham Deben - Wabagai

RJD

1) Md Hellaluddin - Lilong

2) Ngungsarlung - Tipaimukh

3) Thangkholun - Chandel

NPP

1) Thangminlien - Kangpokpi

2) V Hangkhanlian - Thanlon

3) T Hangkhanpao - Singhat

UNC

1) W Keishing - Phungyar

2) Khasim Ruivah - Chingai

3) Danny Shaiza - Ukhrul

4) K Raina - Tadubi

5) Morung M - Tengnoupal

6) A Newmei - Tamei 

Fine prints

Here are some interesting facts about the Manipur elections.

M Sokhopao Haokip, the MPP candidate in Chandel has earned the dubious distinction of polling the least number of votes in the recently concluded Manipur Assembly elections. Mr. Haokip received only 10 votes.

This time the honour of receiving the highest number of votes went to Th Shyamkumar of the MPP. Shyamkumar, who is currently in jail after he was arrested some time back at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, polled 18,388 to emerge victorious from Andro..

Moirangthem Okendro  has won the election by highest margin. As his nearest rival N Sovakiran of MPP could manage only 247 votes, Mr.  Okendro of Congress, who tallied 13,775 at Heirok, recorded a victory margin of 13, 528.

Md Allauddin Khan of the Congress from Keirao recorded victory with the most narrow margin. Md. Khan defeated his nearest rival by just two votes. He polled 7648 to MSCP’s K Thamarjit’s 7646.

There were eight women candidates in the fray, but none could win.

Estatic UNC

A 65 per cent success rate have made United Naga Council (UNC) leaders ecstatic.

Ignoring the loss of its five candidates out of a total of 11 candidates put up by the outfit, UNC publicity secretary Milan claimed that securing six seats out of eleven was a great leap as UNC and other Naga apex bodies entered the electoral process for the first time only to fulfill the aspirations of the Nagas. “This is a flying start. This has also shown that the Nagas in general have endorsed the collective aspirations,” Milan stressed. The winning UNC candidates are W Keishing (Phungyar), Marung Makunga (Tengnoupal ), Danny Shaiza (Ukhrul ), Khasim Ruivah (Chingai), Awangbow Newmei (Tamei ) and K Raina (Tadubi). The UNC is hopeful that two more independent candidates M Thohrii (Mao) and Khangthuanang Panmei (Tamenglong) will come to their fold. A joint meeting of UNC, other Naga civil organisations and the elected Naga candidates will be convened soon to discuss the future plans to strengthen the collective resolutions of the Nagas, according to sources.

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