Imphal, February 15: In the six Assembly constituencies of Churachandpur district which go to polls in the third phase on February 23 along with six other constituencies in Tamenglong and Chandel districts, 37 candidates including two women would be seeking the people's mandate.

All the six Assembly Constituencies, namely 55-Tipaimukh, 56-Thanlon, 57-Henglep, 50-Churachandpur, 59-Saikot and 60-Singhat are reserved seats for scheduled tribes.

In Tipaimukh A/C having the least number of electorate (17,232), four candidates including sitting MLA Dr Chaltolein Amo (INC) are in the fray.

The other three candidates are ex-MLA Ngursanglur (RJD), ex-Minister Selkai Hrangchal (NCP) and Berneth Paul (LJSP).

Songchinkhup who is contesting in Thanlon A/C on PDA ticket after resigning from the Congress and the Assembly has to face 8 rival candidates though he had to fight with only four rivals last time.

In the Assembly segment having 19,303 voters, Songchinkhup will have to get past these candidates including two who were Minister and MLA earlier.

These commanding political personalities are former Health Minister V Hangkhanlian who gave a close fight to incumbent Phungzathang Tonsing in Churachandpur A/C in the previous elections and ex-MLA N Zatawn who contested in the last edition of Assembly elections in Singhat A/C.V Hangkhanlian is the president of NPP while Zatawn is a RJD nominee.

Other candidates in Thanlon A/C are Songlianlal (NCP), Tuanzalian (CPI), Zabiaksang (BJP), N Paochindou (LJSP), Helien Kipgen (Ind) and John K Ngaihte (INC).

Just like in the previous elections, 9 candidates including two women are contesting in 57-Henglep A/C having 26,961 voters.

The women candidates are ex-MP Kim Gangte (CPI) and Tinkhonei Haokip (RJD).

Henglep A/C is one Assembly segment where many political heavy weights are in the fray.

Among others former Deputy Speaker T Thangzalam Haokip (LJSP) and Sehpu Haokip (JD-S) are fighting for the Assembly seat against incumbent MLA T Manga Vaiphei (INC).

Others vying for the seat include Letkhosei Haokip (BJP), Thangliansang (NCP), Ngulkhothang (SP) and Serto Sumneikhup Kom (Ind).

Churachandpur A/C, with the highest number of electorates (45,186) in the entire district will see six candidates in the fray.

Even though senior Minister and former president of MPCC Phungzathang Tonsing was elected many times earlier from the constituency, the INC candidate will have to sweat hard to keep his seat against his prospective young rivals.

His rivals in the Assembly elections are V Langkhanpau Guite (NPP), S Muana (LJSP), Pumzadou (SP), G Thangboy (Ind) and William (Ind).

Just as in the previous elections former Speaker and sitting MLA TN Haokip is battling with five rival candidates in Saikot A/C having 41,414 voters.

TN Haokip's rivals are Dr Jainson Haokip (MPP), Lalthalien (NCP), Ngamkholun (BJP), M Chungkhosei (LJSP) and Thangjangam Khongsai (SAP).

Singhat A/C having 24,936 electorates will see a triangular contest among sitting MLA Thangso Baite (INC), ex-MLA T Hangkhanpao (NPP) and Thangliankhup (SP).