Congress-CPI alliance eyeing majority in Manipur

Imphal, Feb 27: Anti-incumbancy wave in Punjab and Uttarakhand halted the Congress juggernaut, but failed to stop the march in Manipur as the party in alliance with the CPI notched up 28 seats, two seats short of the simple majority, of the 53 seats results of which had been declared so far.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's charisma proved magic for the party as it snuffed out the Opposition challenge convincingly. The Chief Minister not only created a record of sorts by surviving the entire five-year term in a state which had earned the reputation of a " state of defection", but his political acumen enabled the party to race towards majority.

Of the 53 seats declared till now, the Congress took 25 to its kitty and its ally CPI three, while the Manipur People's Party (MPP) and the NCP were giving a hot chase bagging five seats each respectively, the RJD emerged victorious in three and the National People's Party (NPP) in two and the Independents ten.

The RJD also carved a niche for itself in this North Eastern state, making its presence felt bagging three seats. Its candidate Hellaluddin Khan was a giant killer as he humbled Speaker Maniruddin Sheikh of the Congress by a margin of 280 votes.

But the RJD received a setback when former Chief Minister and state party president and W Nipamacha Singh was defeated by S Joy of the NCP by 2000 votes from Wangoi.

Even as the Manipur People's Party (MPP) was racing ahead bagging five seats, its heavyweight candidate and former Chief Minister R K Dorendro, sitting MLA, was defeated by E Kunjeswar of the Congress from Yaiskul by 4000 votes.

Among the heavyweights, who had booked a seat in the ninth Assembly, were Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who defeated sitting MLA L Tomba of the MPP by a margin of 11,077 votes from Thoubal constituency and former Chief Minister and NCP president Radhabinod Koijam, who defeated his nearest Congress rival Jyotin Waikhom by a margin of about 1000 votes from Thangmeiband constituency.

The Chief Minister also chalked up victory from Khangabok constituency.

National People's Party (NPP) president V Hangkhanlian, who defeated his nearest BJP rival Zabiaksang by 4800 votes from Thanlon seat.

Congress president president Gaikhangam was reelected from 54 Nungba AC constituency, defeating his nearest rival Gangmumei Kamei (Independent) by a margin of 5000 votes, and MPP's O Joy, one of the seniormost members of the House, retained his Langthabal seat, defeating Rebika Naoren of the NCP by 1500 votes.

Independent candidate Sapam Kunjakeswor created a ripple when he defeated MPP president Dr L Chandramani from Patsoi by 1644 votes.

UNI