Manipur Elections: State goes to vote on January 28

IMPHAL: Voters in Manipur are getting ready to elect a new 60-member assembly on Saturday to mark the start of elections in five states. Nagaland's ruling party, Naga People's Front (NPF), is also in the fray to test its mettle.

NPF, has fielded a dozen candidates for the Saturday's polls. It plans to further its cause of integrating areas inhabited by the community across northeastern states.

Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who had stoutly resisted entry of the Nagaland-based party in the polls, is telling voters that ruling Congress has protected the territorial integrity of the state.

It is turning out to be a battle between two chief ministers, as Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio toured the state asking the Nagas to come together. He is hoping to succeed where the decades-old insurgency movement led by Thuingaleng Muivah, Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) under general secretary, has failed. NPF is counting on the support of the United Naga Council, the apex body of Nagas in Manipur. In 2007, the UNC-supported candidates had won six out of 11 Naga-dominated seats. Naga-dominated seats are spread across the hill districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel.

Rio is arguing that while the hill districts of Manipur comprise 89% of the geographical area, there are only 20 MLAs from these areas in the Manipur assembly, and the valley which comprises just 11% area has 40 seats. Around 80% of the funds meant for the development in the state are consumed by the valley.

UNC clamped a blockade last August, which continued for 120 days and was lifted only ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to Manipur in December. Though the Manipur assembly debated the issue of NPF's decision to enter the electoral fray, it could not keep the party out because it is recognised by EC. NPF president Shürhozelie Liezietsu has said the polls will be a referendum on the issue of integration of Nagas.