It is almost likely that the upcoming election to Autonomous District Council in Manipur slated on June 1 would witness a keen contest among the Congress, BJP and Naga peoples’ Front (NPF) with the election to Autonomous District Council drawing near and most of the political parties gearing up for the election.Congress is ruling the state while BJP and NPF are in the opposition. So far, the ruling Congress Party in the state have received nomination forms from 215 prospective candidates who are willing to contest the ADC election on Congress tickets. First round of screening of the filled-in forms has been completed and candidates who have been found to be lone Congress applicants against each ADC seat have been selected. Due preparations are being made to announce the party’s final list of candidates soon after the election notification is issued.Congress party is hopeful of retaining power in all the ADCs by sweeping all the parties. However, Congress appears to be a little bit vulnerable in Senapati district. If the election is held in a free and fair manner with no disturbances from the armed group, Congress will completely sweep the district too, said a source from Congress Bhavan. BJP too have already put into motion its campaign for the ADC election and the party’s election. So far, 213 aspiring candidates have submitted nomination forms.In view of the election, district election management committee comprising of seven to nine members have been constituted and they have started screening application forms submitted by intending candidates.Moreover, a State election management committee headed by president Th. Chaoba has also been constituted. Three former presidents, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei and C Doungel are members of the committee. Retired IAS P Saratchandra is the committee’s convenor.
In the backdrop of BJP coming to power in the centre, the Party is also hopeful to win in almost seats of ADC.
“This time, people will reject Congress party which is in power in the State”, a source said.
For NPF, screening of nomination forms submitted by prospective candidates is underway and the party is planning to field candidates in around 100 seats out of the total 144 seats.NPF candidates would be lesser in Churachandpur and Sadar Hills but there would be no rivals worth the name in Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong, said a source. Other than NPF, no other party would be able to from the ADCs, claimed the spokesman. Congress party’s performance in Naga dominated areas would be disappointing. Results of the upcoming ADC election would have its impacts in the next State Assembly election likely to be held in 2017, he added.
