Imphal: Manipur Pradesh Congress Party is likely to announce its first list of candidates for the upcoming State Assembly elections on January 23.
Around 40 to 41 names of candidates will be announced in the first phase, an insider of the party told The North East Affairs here on Thursday.
The remaining 20 seats will be negotiated after consulting with its allies, said the sources.
The Election Commission of India earlier announced poll dates for the 60 Assembly seats of Manipur. The voting will be conducted in two phases on February 27 and March. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.
In 2017, Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 28 seats but later several leaders quit the party. In a post-poll alliance with Naga People’s Front (NPF), National People’s Party (NPP), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Independent candidates, BJP was able to form the government in the state.
The screening process which was started on 27 December concluded on January 15. The Congress screening committee for Manipur was formed in November 2021 and is headed by former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh and includes members Rakibul Hussain, MLA and Pradyut Bordoloi, MP.
The ruling BJP is also likely to announce its first list of candidates by 27 or 28 January. Around 125 to 130 aspiring candidates are seeking the BJP tickets for the elections, said a party sources.
