Notification for Manipur bypoll issued, parties gear up

Imphal: Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur O Nabakishore on Thursday issued notification for by-election in two Assembly constituencies on November 21 next.
The last date for filing of nomination is November 4 and scrutiny will be done the next day. Last date for withdrawal of candidatures is November 7.
Counting of vote will be done on November 24.
The bypoll will see a straight fight between BJP and Congress. BJP today officially announced its candidate .
Khumukcham Joykishan will be the party’s candidate for Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency and Thongam Bishwajit for Thongju Assembly constituency.
BJP Chief, Th. Chaoba said that national leaders were expected to take part in the election campaign.
For Congress Jyotin Waikhom will contest from Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency while Bijoy Koijam will contest at Thongju Assembly.
In the last elections both the Congress candidates had lost to Trinamool candidates.
Both the disqualified Trinamool MLAs have joined the BJP and will contest as BJP candidates.
In Thangmeiband former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam had joined the BJP through central leaders and was expecting favourable response.
However, party Chief Th Chaoba has refused to allow to join the party. Radhabinod has reportedly decided not to contest this time.
CPI Manipur State Council has decided not to contest in the elections.
The party State Council secretary  M Nara said his party will fight against the BJP.
In the last elections at Thangmeiband AC, Joykishan defeated Jyotin by a margin of about 1000 votes while at Thongju AC, Bishwajit defeated Bijoy by a margin of about 500 votes. (UNI)