With the Manipur Assembly elections expected to be held in February-March 2027, alongside polls in four other states, the Congress has begun strengthening its organisational and election machinery in the state by constituting five key election-related committees and appointing additional office bearers to the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).
Significantly, Lok Sabha MP Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has been included in three important committees — the Pradesh Election Committee, Campaign Committee and Manifesto Committee — indicating the party’s intention to give him a prominent role in shaping its electoral strategy, public outreach and policy agenda ahead of the crucial Assembly elections.
The appointments were announced through an order issued by All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal on November 11, following approval by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The order has come into immediate effect.
Dr. Bimol’s inclusion is particularly significant as the Congress seeks to consolidate its political position in Manipur amid continuing political uncertainty and public concerns over the prolonged ethnic conflict and its consequences. His presence in the three committees places him among the party’s key figures in election planning, campaign mobilisation and formulation of its electoral promises.
His membership of the Campaign Committee, headed by Th. Lokeshwar Singh, is especially noteworthy, as the panel will be central to shaping the party’s public campaign and taking its political message to voters. His inclusion in the Manifesto Committee as a co-chairperson, alongside Alfred Kanngam Arthur and Dr. Thokchom Meinya, also gives him a direct role in the formulation of the party’s proposed policy commitments.
The five committees constituted by the AICC are the Pradesh Election Committee, Campaign Committee, Manifesto Committee, Media and Publicity Committee, and Election Management Committee.
Former Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh will head the Pradesh Election Committee, while Th. Lokeshwar Singh has been appointed chairman of the Campaign Committee. Gaikhangam will head the Manifesto Committee, Dr. Kh. Loken Singh the Media and Publicity Committee, and M. Okendro the Election Management Committee.
The Pradesh Election Committee includes senior Congress leaders K. Meghachandra Singh, Gaikhangam, Victor Keishing, T. Manga Vaiphei, T.N. Haokip, M. Okendro, N. Loken Singh, Alfred Kanngam Arthur, Dr. Bimol Akoijam, Th. Lokeshwar Singh, K. Ranjit Singh, Surjakumar Okram and Dr. Thokchom Meinya, among others.
The Campaign Committee includes Dr. Bimol Akoijam, Alfred Kanngam Arthur, Dr. Thokchom Meinya, K. Ranjit Singh, Surjakumar Okram, Thangso Baite and other senior party leaders and representatives.
In addition to the three co-chairpersons, the Manifesto Committee comprises Oinam Nabakishore Singh, T.N. Haokip, P. Saratchandra Singh, Y. Surchandra Singh, Kh. Devabrata Singh, Dr. Kh. Ratankumar Singh and other leaders.
Dr. Kh. Loken Singh will lead the Media and Publicity Committee, while M. Okendro will head the Election Management Committee, with T.N. Haokip, Kh. Devabrata Singh and S. Jeeten Singh as co-chairpersons.
The AICC has also appointed Ifam Badur Rahman, N. Mahananda Singh and Saniba Waikhom as general secretaries and Th. Devadutta Singh as secretary of the MPCC.
Manipur is among five states — Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh being the other four — expected to hold Assembly elections in February-March 2027. The Election Commission of India has yet to announce the official poll schedule. The term of the present Manipur Legislative Assembly expires on March 13, 2027.
