LS polls: 8 contenders for the Outer seat so far
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, March 11 2014 :
In the ethnic politics ridden Outer Parliamentary constitituency of Manipur (Manipur Hills) it has been confirmed so far that eight persons will vie for the lone seat in the ensuing polls.
However, if indications are to be based the numbering of candidates in Manipur hills may rise to 10 .
Thangso Baite of the Indian National Congress (INC), Kim Gangte of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Soso Lorho of the Naga People's Front (NPF), Mani Charenamei (Independent), C Doungel of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Lien Gangte, the common candidate of non-BJP and non-Congress parties alliance, Prof Gangmumei Kamei from BJP and ***** of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) .
Two stocks of ethnic communities i.e.the Nagas and the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group dominate the Outer Parliamentary constituency though their are sizeable voters from the valley (non-tribals in Thoubal district) whose votes are listed in the Outer constituency.
It may not be wrong to point out that the ethnic urges feature generally in every election in the hill districts of Manipur which is one of the many factors that infuences the voters.
From among the eight candidates, five hail from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community while three of them are from that of the Nagas.
Soso Lorho, Mani Charenamei and Prof Gangmumei Kamei are Nagas while C Doungel, Kim Gangte, Lien Gangte, *** and Thangso Baite are from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group.
However, this is election time and these eight candidates may not like to be seen them as hailing from the other community by the ethnic stock they do not belong.
But at the same flip, these candidates would display utmost drama-show of concerns before their kin tribes that they are the hardcore torch-bearers in the ethnic issues confronting their communities.
A good chameleon show, one may term.
Meanwhile, majprity of the tribal candidates are also going the 'niche' polical canvass of Manipur way--the demand for repealing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, development in all fronts and peace in the region.
* This news was edited on March 13 2014 as per request from one of the candidate mentioned .