Manipur minister Thaonaojam Basantakumar named as BJP candidate Inner Manipur LS seat

Imphal: In a surprise move by the ruling BJP government in Manipur has fielded its current Education, Law and Legislative Affairs minister Thaonaojam Basantakumar as the party’s candidate for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Lok Sabha election.

The BJP’s Central Election Committee, one day before the last date of filing nominations on Tuesday announced the candidature of Minister Basantakumar as the party’s candidate.

Basantakumar, a former IPS, contested the State Assembly Election in 2022 on BJP ticket in Nambol AC and after winning he is serving as the Biren led government as Education, Law and Legislative Affairs minister. He is the son of former union minister Th. Chaoba. He is going to file his nomination paper on Wednesday at the Returning Officer in Imphal West.

After the announcement of the BJP candidate for Inner Manipur, the Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh while saying that Basantakumar is the best man, appreciated leaders of BJP Central Election Committee for giving the party ticket to the current state Education Minister.

Addressing the media at the state BJP office in Imphal, Biren also expressed his confidence that the PM Modi led BJP government will hold its third term at the Centre.

On Monday, RK Somendro (popular actor) candidate of Manipur People’s Party (regional party) for the 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Election and Kachui Timothy Zimik of Naga Peoples Front for the 2-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency have filed their respective nominations.

Congress candidates Professor Angomcha Bimol who is contesting in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha Constituency and Alfred Kangam Arthur a former MLA contesting in the Outer Constituency are also going to file their nomination today.

Meanwhile, RPI (A) National Secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam who had announced to contest in the Lok Sabha Election in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency is also yet to file his nomination.

Interestingly, for the two Lok Sabha seats for Manipur, no one from Kuki community has come out to contest in the election for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.