In the city of Imphal, the Democratic party has nominated Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and former legislator Alfred Kanngam Arthur as their candidates for the Inner and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seats respectively in the upcoming elections, as per an official proclamation.
In accordance with an official declaration by the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), K Venugopal, this resolution was arrived at by the Central Election Committee of the established political party.
Akoijam is renowned for his erudite analysis of the sectarian unrest that ensued in the locality last year. Arthur, previously serving as a member of the legislative assembly representing the party, hails from the Ukhrul district, predominantly inhabited by the Tangkhul Naga community.
Arthur is set to compete against K Timothy Zimik, the candidate of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and a former officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), in the Outer Manipur constituency, which is designated for Scheduled Tribes.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its support for its coalition partner, the NPF, in the Outer Manipur constituency. However, the party has yet to disclose its nominee for the Inner Manipur seat.
According to sources within the party, apart from the incumbent Member of Parliament RK Ranjan, potential candidates include state party leader A Sharda Devi and Rajya Sabha MP L Sanajaoba.
The electoral process for the two constituencies in the state will be conducted in two stages. The Inner Manipur constituency, alongside 15 assembly segments of Outer Manipur, is slated for voting on April 19. Voting for the remaining 13 assembly segments of Outer Manipur will occur on April 26.
As of now, no candidate has filed any nomination in the state. While the Inner Manipur constituency is predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community from the Imphal Valley, the majority of residents in the Outer Manipur constituency consist of Kukis and Nagas dwelling in the hills.
