11 withdraw candidature; 5 Sitting MLAs not contesting
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 14, 2012:
Five sitting MLAs of Manipur Legislative Assembly have failed to file their nomination papers for the January- 28 scheduled general elections even as 11 aspiring candidates, including one woman today submitted their withdrawal notices on the last day of withdrawal of candidature.
The five sitting MLAs who chose not to contest in the polls include Thangminlen Kipgen of Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency holding Hills Area Committee chairman, Marung Makunga of Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency, M Thorii of Mao Assembly Constituency, Dr Khasim Ruivah of Chingai Assembly Constituency and Md.Helaluddin Lilong Assembly Constituency.
The reason behind their failure to file nominations could not be confirmed as the MLAs could not be reached for comment.
Sources close to them, said the five MLAs could not get party tickets of their choice owing to which the legislatures decided not to contest the elections.
Meanwhile, 11 candidates who filed their nominations for polls to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Saturday withdrew their candidatures.
According to information received from the state Election Office, the 11 candidates withdrew their candidatures are Leitanthem Ingocha, who filed nominations as MSCP candidate to contest in 8-Lamlai A/C under Imphal East; Kongkham Tomba, who filed nominations as Independent candidate to contest in 23-Mayang Imphal A/C under Imphal West; Dr Md Maniruddin Sheikh, who filed nominations as NCP candidate to contest in 30-Lilong A/C; Asraf Hussein, who filed nominations as Independent candidate in the same 30-Lilong A/C; Thingujam Jayenta, who filed nominations as MSCP candidate in 36-Wanagai A/C, all under Thoubal district; NK Mangcha Haokip, who filed nominations as MSCP candidate to contest in 46-Saikul A/C under Senapati district; Mangkhum Joute, who filed nominations as Independent candidate from 55-Tippaimukh A/C; Henliangthang Thanglet, who filed nominations as MSCP candidate from 60-Singhat A/C and Thienching who also filed nominations as Independent candidate to contest the election from the same Constituency, all falling under Churachandpur district; Keishing Somi, who filed nominations as Independent candidate to contest in 43-Phungyar A/C and RS Turner Shimray, who filed nominations as Independent candidate to contest in 44-Ukhrul under Ukhrul district.
The candidates include four from Manipur State Congress Part (MSCP), one NCP and six Independents.