Imphal, March 08: For the election of a Rajya Sabha MP from the State scheduled for April 26, 18 intending candidates including four women have submitted their application forms to the Congress party on the last day of submitting applications today.

The applications of these individuals seeking Congress ticket to contest the election for Rajya Sabha membership will be studied during a meeting of the Congress ticket committee tomorrow.

On the other hand, the SPF Government's coalition partner CPI has conveyed intentions to consider its proposal for sending a Muslim to the Rajya Sabha in a meeting of the SPF Government's steering committee meeting.

Opposition parties will be holding a meeting in the next two/three days to consider whether they should field their own candidates or not.

Of the individuals who have submitted their applications to the Congress party seeking to contest the election on Congress ticket, Achouba Sagolsem is currently MPCC's treasurer.

A BA by qualification, Achouba had suffered defeats in Assembly elections three times.

Abdul Salam Haji, MA LLB is vice-president of the MPCC.

He had contested Assembly elections five times in which he came out victorious on three occasions.

Another applicant vying for Congress ticket is Abdul Salam, BA, general secretary of MPCC.

Wahengbam Angou is MA, BT and had won elections six times and suffered defeat twice.

AS Arthur is a BA and had won elections twice.

Bira Sanasam, BA, BT was also victorious in Assembly elections twice.

Ningthoujam Biren MSc, LLB was victorious on three occasions.

Dr Chaltonlien Amo, MBBS has two victories and two defeats in his election record.

Francis Ngajokpa, BA, MBA has one victory and one defeat in his election profile.

Chungkhokai Doungel, BA suffered defeat once and won on four occasions.

Akoijam Mirabai suffered defeat three times.

Lourembam Manglem, BA LLB is yet to contest Assembly elections.

Dr Maniruddin Sheikh MBBS (MD) won once against two defeats.

Ngamkhoham Kipgen, BA contested once but unsuccessfully.

Pramodini Aribam, MA LLB is yet to contest elections.

RK Sorjini, MA contested once without success.

Abdul Sattar Yumkhaibam, MA and Mazida Khan, BA too have never contested elections.

The integrity, dedication to the cause of Manipur and competency of these intending candidates will be studies in the Congress party ticket committee's meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Manipur State Assembly has issued a notification in connection with the election of Rajya Sabha member today.

The tenure of the incumbent Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing ends on April 9. According to the notification issued by Chief Electoral Officer RR Rashmi, the Secretary of the Legislative Assembly has been appointed Returning Officer of the poll.

Moreover, the two Joint Secretaries of the Assembly have been appointed Assistant Returning Officers.

The voting will begin at 9 am of April 26 and continue till 4 pm at Committee Room A of the State Assembly.

The polling will be done on secret ballot.

Intending candidates for the lone Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur may file nomination papers from April 8 till April 15 between 11 am and 3 pm.

Scrutiny will be done on April 17 while the last date of nomination withdrawal has been fixed on April 19.

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