IMPHAL: Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and 11 sitting MLAs are among the 40 candidates announced by the Opposition Congress on Saturday for the Manipur Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3. According to the Congress' first candidate list, Okram Ibobi Singh, who was the Chief Minister for a record 15 years (2002 to 2017), would contest from the Thoubal Assembly seat while his son Surjakumar Okram would contest from the Khangabok seat. Former Deputy Chief Minister and sitting MLA Gaikhangam would contest from the Nungba constituency. Manipur State Congress president Nameirakpam Loken Singh (Nambol), former Congress presidents Gaikhangam (Nungba), TN Haokip (Saikot), former Assembly Speaker Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh (Khundrakpam), Ratankumar Singh, who was recently appointed as working president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (Mayang Imphal) are also in the first list.
The CEC's general secretary and former Union Minister Mukul Wasnik announced the candidates' list in Delhi, where only two women candidates - Akoijam Miraibai Devi (Patsoi) and Thokchom Ithoibi Devi (Oinam) - find their places. (IANS)
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