Dr Keishing to stay put as India's oldest parliamentarian
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Imphal, January 21 2014 : Dr.Rishang Keishing, the grand old man of Manipur politics, is tipped to retain the honour as the oldest parliamentarian in the country with the Congress party keen on re-nominating the sitting Rajya Sabha member.

A highly placed source said the Congress high command had agreed on re-nominating the former chief minister and incumbent Member of Parliament (RS) Dr.Rishang Keishang as the party candidate to the Upper House from the state.

This development came after Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam reportedly apprised the AICC on the matter in New Delhi recently.

Two days before the AICC summit at New Delhi on January 18, Ibobi and Gaikhangam met the party high command and pitched for Dr.Keishing as the most eligible man for the seat and acceptable to the tribals and minorities alike in the state.

Dr.Rishang Keishing

With the state's two most powerful men putting their weight behind the incumbent Rajya Sabha member, the AICC is believed to have relented despite that Dr.Keishing staying away from seek re-nomination this time.

On Tuesday, a Union Minister � a Congressman, conveyed the news to some party men from the state currently in the capital.

This was disclosed by party insiders in touch with the Congress high command.

In fact, the AICC had set its deadline for party ticket aspirants on January 19 for the state's lone RS seat.

This time, altogether 19 candidates including a sitting MLA are in the fray for the party nomination to the Upper House.

The Congress high command favouring the veteran and nonagenarian politician has not gone down well among a section of the party.

A source said Congressmen pitching support for other candidates are left perplexed with the news but could not make any move as the AICC is yet make any official announcement.

The veteran politician Dr.Keishing, if fielded by the party for the August house, is certain of winning with the Congress enjoying an overwhelming majority of 42 legislators in 60-member Manipur Assembly.

He is 95 years old now and would be the oldest serving MP if re-elected for third consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha.