BJP and Shiv Sena have also fielded Muslim candidates
By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Altogether 279 candidates are contesting in 60 assembly constituencies in the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election scheduled to be held on January 28, 2012. A total of 298 candidates had filed their nomination papers, 8 were rejected in the scrutiny while 11 withdrew their nomination papers.
Ruling Indian National Congress (INC) is fielding candidates in all the 60 assembly constituencies. All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) is fielding candidates in 48 constituencies, Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) in 31, CPI in 24, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 22, BJP in 19, Manipur Peoples’ Party (MPP) in 145, Naga Peoples’ Party (NPP) in 12, Shiv Sena in 7, Nationalist Peoples’ Party (NPP) in 5, Janata Dal (U) in 5, Janata Dal (S) in 2, Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJSP) in 2, CPI (M) 2, JMBP 1, Manipur Democratic Peoples’ Front (MDPF) in 1, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in 1, Inquilab Vikas Dal (IVD) and Independent candidates in 22 constituencies.
A banner of Manipur People’s Party having the photo of former chief minister of Manipur Mohd. Alimuddin (centre)
Muslim candidates
In all, 20 Muslim candidates are contesting in 9 assembly constituencies. In Khetrigao assembly constituency there are 3 Muslim candidates – Md. Amin Shah (INC), Sheikh Nurul Hassan (Independent) and Md. Abdur Rahman Khan (NPP). In all, 8 candidates are in the fray for this seat. There are around 9,000 Muslim voters among the 24-30 thousand voters in the assembly constituency.
In Keirao constituency, Md. Islamuddin (Independent) and Minority & Other Backward Classes (MOBC) minister Md. Alaudin Khan (INC) are contesting. In all, 8 candidates are fighting in the constituency. This constituency has around 8,000 voters.
In Andro constituency, Alhaj Md. Ahmed Ali (INC), Md. Janamuddin (Shiv Sena) and Md. Jalaluddin Shah (MSCP) are contesting. Altogether 6 candidates, including the sitting MLA Thounoujam Shyam Kumar (AITC), are in the fray. There are around 8,000 Muslim voters in the constituency.
In Mayang Imphal constituency, Maulana Bogimayum Moina Abdus Salam (BJP) is contesting against 3 other candidates including the sitting Khumujam Ratan Kumar (INC). This assembly constituency has around 7,000 Muslim voters.
In Lilong constituency, all the candidates are Muslims – Md. Khalid (SDPI), Md. Abdul Nasir (INC), Md. Alauddin (AITC), Md. Dilawar Ali (Shiv Sena), Burhanuddin (Independent), Md. Azizul Haque Khan (Independent) and Md. Azizur Rahman Shah (MSCP). This constituency has the highest number of Muslim voters, around 17,000. Former Speaker and Vice-President of MPCC Dr. Md. Maneruddin Sheikh and Ashraf Hussain (Independent) withdrew their nomination papers. Md. Alauddin and Burhanuddin are the sons of former Chief Minister Md. Alimuddin, while Dr. Md. Maneruddin Sheikh is the son-in-law of Md. Alimuddin.
In Wangkhem constituency, Md. Abdul Kadir (AITC) is contesting against 3 other candidates including MPP President Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and sitting MLA K. Meghachandra (INC). There are around 7,000 Muslim voters in the constituency.
In Khangabok constituency, Haji Ashraf (LJSP) is contesting against the wife of Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, O. Landoni (INC). This assembly constituency has around 7,000 Muslim voters.
In Wabagai constituency, Md. Fajur Rahim (INC) is contesting against 3 other candidates, including sitting MLA Usham Deven (AITC). This constituency has around 10,000 Muslim voters. Former Minister Haji Abdul Salam, who used to contest from this assembly constituency, did not file his nomination paper this time.
In Jiribam constituency, Md. Jalaluddin (MSCP) is contesting against 4 other candidates including Revenue minister T. Devendra (INC). This constituency has around 8,000 Muslim voters. Moirang constituency, which has around 8,000 Muslim voters, has no Muslim candidate.
Representation of Muslims in Manipur Assembly
The present 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly has only 2 Muslim MLAs, namely Md. Alaudin Khan, elected from Keirao constituency on INC ticket, and Haji Helaluddin, elected from Lilong constituency on RJD ticket. The number of Muslim legislators in the state assembly has decreased over the years: 5 in 1972 State Assembly, 7 in 1974, 4 in 1980, 3 in 1985, 2 in 1990, 4 in 1995, 1 in 2000, and 3 in 2002 State Assembly.
Prominent candidates
Some of the prominent candidates contesting in this election are Chief Minister, O. Ibobi Singh (INC) in Thoubal constituency, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MSCP) President, Ghaikhangam (INC) in Nungba constituency, Public Works Department minister, K. Ranjit (INC) in Sugnu constituency, Food and Civil Supply minister N. Biren (INC) in Heingang constituency, Speaker I. Hemochandra (INC) in Singjamei constituency, Sericulture minister Y. Irabot (INC) in Wangkhei constituency, Agriculture minister and CPI leader P. Parijat (CPI) in Lamlai constituency, Medical minister L. Jayenta (INC) in Keishamthong constituency, Education minister D.D. Thaisii in Karong constituency, Power minister Phungjathang Tonsing (INC) in Churachandpur district, Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing’s son Victor Keishing (INC) in Phungyar constituency.
Surprisingly, 5 of the sitting MLAs failed to file their nominations, including Haji Helaluddin of Lilong constituency. Others include Thangminlen Kipgen of Kangpokpi constituency, Marung Makunga of Tengnoupal constituency, Dr. Kasim Ruivah of Chingai constituency and M. Thorii of Mao constituency. The reason behind their failure to file their nominations could not be known.
Women candidates
As many as 16 women candidates, the largest so far, are contesting from 14 constituencies. Sumatibala Ningthoujam (MSCP) is contesting in Heirok constituency, Akoijam Mirabai Devi (INC) in Patsoi constituency, Y. Romola Devi (CPI-M) in Keisamthong constituency, L. Khetrani Devi (IVD) in Sagolband constituency, Maisnam Sahki Leima (CPI) in Konthoujam constituency, Th. Bidyalaxmi (Shiv Sena) in Bishnupur constituency, Ngaineikim (Independent) in Singhat constituency, Teresa Rimai (Independent) in Pungyar constituency, among others. However there are no Muslim women candidates.
BJP leaders Nitin Gadkare and Hema Malini, NCP leader P.S. Sangma and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamta Banerjee are likely to visit Manipur to campaign for their respective political parties.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in all polling booths, photo identity cards will also be mandatory for all the voters. Unlike in the past, expenditure of candidates is closely monitored by the IT department.
Security has been beefed up in the State. Considering the deteriorating law and order situations caused by activities of various underground organizations around 350 companies of Central Para-Military forces in addition to the state police forces will be deployed for the election. The core committee of 7 militant groups of Manipur has imposed a ban on the INC against contesting elections. All the candidates who have filed nomination papers for the assembly election have also been provided adequate security.
Counting will take place on March 6.
Out of the 60 assembly constituencies, 19 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes, which are all in the Hill districts of Chandel, Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Senapati districts, and one is reserved for Scheduled Castes.