Asem Bhakta, Special Correspondent North East
The Indian National Congress (INC) has achieved significant victories in both the Inner and Outer Manipur parliamentary constituencies, signaling a notable shift in the state’s political landscape. In Inner Manipur, INC candidate Akoijam Bimol clinched the seat with a record-breaking margin of over 1 lakh votes, surpassing all previous electoral records set in the state. Previously, Thokchom Meinya of the INC had won by 30,960 votes in 2009 and by 94,674 votes in 2014. The seat was held by BJP candidate RK Ranjan in 2019, who won by a margin of 17,755 votes.
In the Outer Manipur constituency, INC candidate Alfred K Arthur, a prominent Naga leader, emerged victorious after a dramatic surge in votes from Churachandpur, a Kuki-majority district in southern Manipur. This propelled him to a substantial lead over his opponents.
According to the latest Election Commission of India (ECI) data, Akoijam Bimol secured 374,017 votes in Inner Manipur, while his closest competitor, Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh of the BJP, garnered 264,216 votes. Maheshwar Thounaojam of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) received 135,640 votes, followed by Rajkumar Somendro Singh (Independent) with 13,050 votes, Moirangthem Totomshana Nongshaba with 4,881 votes, and Haorungbam Sarat Singh (Independent) with 1,296 votes. NOTA received 3,797 votes.
In Outer Manipur, Alfred K Arthur of INC secured 381,796 votes, defeating Kachui Timothy Zimik of the Naga Peoples Front, who received 298,358 votes. Independent candidate S Kho John garnered 89,677 votes, while Alyson Abonmai (Independent) received 14,864 votes. NOTA accounted for 6,530 votes.
The BJP only saw significant leads in Keirao and Heingang constituencies, home to prominent BJP leaders and MLAs, L Rameshwor and CM N Biren Singh, respectively. Despite this, in other constituencies represented by BJP MLAs, the party failed to secure significant leads, resulting in a relatively better performance for the BJP in Imphal East compared to Imphal West and Thoubal districts, where the Congress outperformed the BJP.
Akoijam Bimol, a faculty member at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, is known for his vocal criticism of BJP policies and actions regarding the ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict. Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, the BJP candidate, is the son of prominent BJP leader Thounaojam Chaoba Singh, adding intrigue to the electoral dynamics.
The INC’s sweeping victory represents a significant setback for the BJP, which had aimed to consolidate its power in Manipur. The Congress party’s resounding success is expected to reinvigorate its presence in the state, potentially marking a return to prominence after losing power in 2017.
Congress members view this victory as a significant mandate from the people of Manipur, who have been clamoring for change. Analysts attribute the INC’s triumph to widespread dissatisfaction with the BJP’s handling of the ongoing conflict between the Meiteis and Kukis, which has persisted for over a year.
