Imphal: Two days after the Indian National Congress (INC) released a list of 40 candidates for the ensuing 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election, the National Peoples’ Party (NPP) on Monday announced the first list of 20 candidates to be fielded in the much-anticipated election.
NPP National Vice-President Yumnam Joykumar who is also the Chairman of Election Management Committee NPP Manipur State formally declared the names of the 20 candidates during a press conference held at Mayol Auditorium Uripok.
The 20 candidates include 18 from the valley and two from the hills. The list has three sitting MLAs in the current Manipur Legislative Assembly with Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar leading the list from Uripok Assembly Constituency. In the last Assembly election 2017, the party won four seats but it is now left with only three MLAs after one of its MLA serving as Minister in the BJP-led coalition resigned from the party.
The 20 candidates selected by the party are Laitonjam Jayananda (3-Khurai AC), Sheikh Noorul Hassan (4-Kshetrigao AC), Alhaj Mohd. Nasiruddin Khan (6-Keirao AC), Yumnam Joykumar (10-Uripok AC), L. Jayantakumar (12-Keishamthong AC), Oinam Romen (13-Singjamei AC), Huidrom Vikramjit (14- Yaiskul AC), W. (O). Sumati (17-Lamsang AC), K. Sarat (18-Konthoujam AC), Karam Nabakishor (20-Langthabal AC), Kh. Loken (22-Wangoi AC), U. Ramesh (23-Mayang Imphal AC), I.(O). Nalini (25-Oinam AC), Th. Shanti (27-Moirang AC), N. Diten (33- Heirok AC), Usham Manglem (34-Wangjing Tentha AC), M. Ranjit (36-Wabagai AC), Maibam Dhanabir (38-Hiyanglam AC), Lukhopao (Apao) Haokip (41- Chandel AC) and N. Kayisii (49-Tadubi AC).
Disclosing the names of the candidates, NPP Election Committee Chairman Y Joykumar said that the list of the 20 candidates was announced after having a thorough deliberation and considering all the concerned factors. He conveyed that the second list of candidates will also be announced soon.
Responding to a query whether the party has any plan to make a pre-poll alliance with other parties, Joykumar said that the party will not make any pre-poll alliance for the time being and will fight the election straight.
He claimed that the 20 candidates selected by the party have no criminal records except a botched up case against Huidrom Vikramjit.
NPP Manipur State Unit Working President L. Jayantakumar and NPP National Youth President Ratika Yumnam were also present at the press conference.
Notably, NPP is one of the major alliance partners of the BJP-led coalition in the State after Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF).