Without CM candidate in Manipur, BJP says Modi is its face

Polls will virtually witness a fight between BJP and Cong although some smaller parties are in fray

The Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting the Manipur Elections 2017 , which will virtually witness a fight between the Congress and the saffron party, without a chief ministerial candidate and allies, but says its face is Narendra Modi.

Although the party has not announced a chief ministerial candidate, its state president K Bhabananda Singh said, "The BJP's face for Manipur election is Narendra Modi and his good governance. Why we didn't put up a chief ministerial candidate, it is for our central leadership to answer. May be there are too many leaders."

The Assembly polls in the state will virtually witness a fight between the BJP and the Congress although some smaller parties are also in the fray.

Singh exuded confidence about his party's poll prospect, saying, "The BJP came to power in Assam after 15 years of Congress misrule. In Manipur too, we will come to power with more than two-thirds majority."

BJP is fighting the poll without its allies like the National People's Party (NPP), the Naga People's Front (NPF) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

The NPP has fielded candidates in 21 of 60 seats in the Assembly while the LJP has put up candidates in 11 seats. The NPF is contesting in 15 seats.

"We are a part of the NDA at the Centre but regional parties have their own aspirations and agenda and the BJP is very much confident that it can make it alone," said Vivek Raj Wangkhem, the General Secretary of the NPP.

The state BJP chief also said, "The alliance is at the Centre. In the state, the political equations are different. So our strategies are also different." Read more

Economic blockade will not impact Manipur poll process: CEC

Supply of essential commodities including fuel to Manipur has been severely hit since November 2016

Manipur Elections 2017 : The Election Commission is confident that the economic blockade in Manipur will not impact the poll process in the state and has made all arrangements to ensure free and fair elections.

"We have all the data from our state election machinery. We are confident that the economic blockade will not impact the poll process in the state. The state government has also assured us. We will get cooperation from all the sections," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said.

An indefinite economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1, 2016 is on in Manipur, against the state government's decision to create seven new districts in the landlocked state by bifurcating the existing ones. The state government has, however, claimed that this decision was taken to improve administrative efficiency.

Supply of essential commodities including fuel to Manipur has been severely hit since November 2016 after the council declared indefinite economic blockade on NH2 (via Dimapur) and NH 37 (via Jiribam) -- the two lifelines to the state.

Asked how the Election Commission will ensure smooth movement of election officials and security personnel as the state is hit by fuel shortage, Zaidi said, "We have undertaken a very in-depth review with our district officials and also with the state officials. As far as the election process is concerned there is a priority and sufficient availability of petrol, diesel for poll process. There would be no problem regarding it and all poll personnel will assist us." Read more