Congress marching ahead in Manipur

Imphal, Feb 27 (UNI) After a drubbing in Punjab and Uttarakhand, Manipur has provided a semblance of respectability to the ruling Congress as the party romped home in six seats followed by the RJD and the NCP with three each of the 18 seats results of which have been declared so far.

The RJD carved a niche for itself in this North Eastern state, giving the Congress a tough time. Its candidate Hellaluddin Khan was a giant killer as he humbled Speaker Maniruddin Sheikh of the Congress by a margin of 280 votes.

Of the 18 seats declared till now, the Congress took six to its kitty, while the RJD and the NCP were giving a hot chase bagging three each, and the Manipur People's Party (MPP) and the CPI two each and the National People's Party (NPP) and the Independents one each.

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.

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.

The Chief Minister, also contesting from Khangabok constituency, had created a record of sorts for being the first person in the history of Manipur to have run the state for five years at a stretch.According to the trends available, the Congress and the NCP were surging ahead, while the Independents were leading in two seats.

UNI