Election campaigning for first phase in full swing

Thoubal, Jan 15 (UNI) Hectic election campaigns have started in Manipur for the first phase of assembly elections scheduled to be held on February 8.

Campaigning is being held on a major scale at Thoubal district, Chief Minister O Ibobi's constituency.

The Congress had officially announced the list of candidates for Senapati, Ukhrul and Thoubal districts.

The Chief Minister would contest from Thoubal and Khangabok constituencies whereas Dr Maniruddin Sheikh from Lilong and K Megha from Wangkhem.

Other Congress candidates were M Okendro of Heirok, M Hemanta, Wangjing from Wabagai, former Deputy Commissioner Y Surchandra of Imphal West who recently resigned will contest against L Tomba of CPI from Kakching.

The CPI and NCP have already announced list of 23 candidates each and it is only the Congress party which may field candidates in all the 60 Assembly segments.

Meanwhile, tension still prevailed at the Congress and Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP) offices over the issuance of party tickets.

UNI