Congress wrests Hiyanglam Seat
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 20 2014: Invalidating the much-hyped 'BJP-NaMo Wave' which has swept in the recent Maharastra and Haryana assembly polls, Indian National Congress candidate Elangbam Dwijamani won the Hiyanglam by-election defeating his nearest rival Dr Yumnam Radheshyam of All India Trinamool Congress by 1, 829 votes.

Lauding the people of Hiyanglam constituency, MPCC President Gaikhangam today said people of the state have faith in the Congress Party.

Result for the Hiyanglam By-election clearly indicates that Narendra Modi wave does not reach Manipur, he added.

Notably, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam during a public meeting held in connection with the election had speculated that the party would win the election by a margin of 2,000 votes from its nearest rival.

Congress candidate Elangbam Dwijamani

A total of five candidates had contested the by-election which was held on October 17 last following the demise of its former MLA Maibam Kunjo.

Altogether 23, 247 electorates casted their votes in 34 polling stations with a massive turnout of 98.92 percent.

Counting of votes under tight security began at around 8 am at the Counting Hall of Deputy Commissioner Thoubal and concluded at 10 am.

According to the results, Elangbam Dwijamani secured 9, 008 votes while Dr Yumnam Radheshyam (AITC) got 7, 179 votes.

Receiving 6, 306 votes, Maibam Dhanabir (BJP), son of late M Kunjo stood third position while Mayengbam Amutombi (MPP) got 615 votes.

Unexpectedly, Thokchom Laiba (MSCP) only got 93 votes.

Interestingly, a total of 46 voters pressed None of the Above (NOTA) button.

Since M Amutombi and Th Laiba could not get even one third of the total votes secured by the winning candidate E Dwijamani, they will lose their security deposits for contesting the election.

Just after the announcement of the results, E Dwijamani arrived at Mini-Secretariat to receive winning certificate which was handed over to him by Th Charanjit, SDO Kakching and Returning Officer of the election.

Speaking to media persons, Dwijamani stated that it is impossible to complete works to be executed in five years within two years and three months.

However, he said, top priority will be given to those incomplete works left over during his tenure as MLA of the constituency.

The elected MLA asserted that he will take up various environmental measures in the constituency which has large numbers of lake and acknowledged that the constituency had not faced water scarcity unlike other constituencies which was due to the construction of 17 ponds during his MLA term.

Dismissing the reports on using money and muscle power by the party in the election, he clarified that nothing sort of means was practiced to woo voters, saying people voted for him taking into consideration of the developmental works taken up in the constituency when he was MLA in the past.

Contending that the Congress party which has been bringing development in the State during its 13-years rule would again form the government in the next Assembly election as faith of the people lies with the party, he appreciated all those who voted for him in the election.

After coming out from the office complex of DC Thoubal, Dwijamani was welcomed by large numbers of his supporters by presenting garland made of flower and currency notes.