By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) announced former Minister Haji Abdul Salam as its nominee for the lone Rajya Sabha seat of the state on January 27, 2014.
Abdul Salam was nominated from among 20 candidates who had applied for the candidature. 4 Muslim candidates applied for the Congress ticket. The other 3 are Former Speaker Md. Maneruddin Sheikh, Dr. Syed Burhanuddin and Wahidur Rahman.
Haji Abdul Salam (in cap) along with MLA Fajur Rahim at Congress Bhawan filling nomination form.
Abdul Salam was unanimously accepted as the candidate for the State Congress by the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting held at the Chief Minister’s bunglow on January 27 morning. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had already approved the proposal for nominating Abdul Salam.
Abdul Salam is set to be the first Muslim MP from Manipur.
In the afternoon of January 27 Abdul Salam files his nomination paper at the State Legislative Assembly Secretariat. He was accompanied by Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and MPCC President Gaikhangam and other MPCC executives and members. There are 42 Congress MLAs in the 60-member State Assembly. The election is scheduled for February 7.
The incumbent, Rishang Keishing (96), the oldest MP in the Parliament, has withdrawn from the race due to age factor.
It is believed that the State Congress has nominated a Muslim candidate considering the minority votes in the State in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. Many of the Muslim organizations had threatened to boycott the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha election if the party fails to nominate a Muslim for the Rajya Sabha. There are 2 Lok Sabha seats in Manipur – Inner Parliamentary Constituency and Outer Parliamentary Constituency. The State has more than 2 lakh Muslim population.
Abdul Salam (65) was elected from Wabagai Assembly Constituency in Thoubal District for the first time in 1980. He represented the Assembly thrice. He served as Cabinet Minister twice. He was the Vice-President of MPCC and member of All India Congress Committee.