Manipur as it happened: Biren Singh, council of ministers to take oath on Wednesday; Amit Shah to attend

Biren Singh to be sworn-in as first BJP chief minister in state
 

Imphal: Nongthombam Biren, who was elected leader of BJP Manipur legislature wing on Monday, will be sworn in as the 24th chief minister of Manipur on Wednesday. Biren Singh, MLA from Heingang constituency, will be the first BJP chief minister in the state.

Manipur Governor Dr Najima Heptulla will administer oath of office and secrecy to Biren Singh at Rajbhavan Imphal, said a BJP source.

Elected MLAs to meet governor soon

At a meeting of senior BJP leaders, MLA Biren Singh has been elected leader of the legislature party head. Biren was unanimously elected leader after a four-hour deliberation, also attended by Union minister Prakash Javadekar, BJP national secretary Ajay Jamwal, and other heavyweights. The elected MLAs will meet Manipur Governor soon, to stake a claim for government formation.

ANI reported that Okram Ibobi Singh will tender his resignation on Monday evening or Tuesday.

Will Manipur CM Ibobi Singh stay or go?

Willl he or won't he? That seems to be the question.  While NDTV reported that Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has refused to resign and claimed that his party had a majority, CNN-News 18 reported that Singh will quit on Tuesday.

Manipur CM Ibobi Singh set to resign, sources say


Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is set to resign after he failed to muster the required numbers to form a Congress government. Governor Najma Heptulla has asked him to step down, and the BJP is now set to form the government, informed sources said on Monday.


Though the Congress claims it enjoys the supports of the four National People's Party MLAs, Vivekraj Wangkhem of the NPP maintained his party is supporting the BJP to form government.

"Our party and elected members have extended support to the BJP in the formation of the ministry," he said.

Wangkhem also said that the party's earlier written assurance to the Congress is invalidated.

Manipur governor slams Ibobi, asks him to resign


CNN-News18 reported that Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah has slammed Manipur Chief Minister Okram Singh Ibobi, saying that she had asked him for his resignation and was waiting for him to resign.

The governor added that the BJP had submitted a list of 32 MLAs to form the government.

BJP to announce head of legislature wing today

BJP claims support of 32 MLAs to form govt

The BJP in Manipur on Sunday night claimed to have secured the support of 32 MLAs after getting the backing of NDA constituent parties and two other MLAs, and said it would elect the legislature party leader on Monday.

BJP has its own 21 MLAs and secured support of 11 others adding up to 32 legislators. 31 are needed to form government in the 60-member Assembly, Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after meeting Governor Najma Heptullah.

Biswa Sarma said the legislature party leader would be elected on Monday.
 

Shyamkumar, one of the 28 Congress MLAs who won from Andro constituency, and the lone All India Trinamool Congress legislator Robindro joined the BJP taking the party's numbers to 32, Sarma said.

CM Ibobi Singh asks guv to invite Cong to form govt, accuses BJP of having no principles

In a late night press conference Sunday, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that he has requested Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah to invite the Congress to form the government in the state as they were the single largest party.


"I went to the Raj Bhavan, met the governor and urged her to give the Congress the first chance to show strength on the floor of the House because the Congress is single largest party. I am hoping that governor will do justice,"he said on Sunday.

Calling the BJP opportunistic, Ibobi Singh said that the BJP had categorically denied tie-ups with the Naga People's Front ahead of the Assembly elections.

"The BJP has no principles. Before the election, they announced no ties with NPF. Now they are saying they are tying up with NPF. The people of Manipur will never accept ties with a party that is hell-bent on breaking up Manipur," he said.

Congress accuses BJP of subverting democracy; Chidambaram says party stealing polls

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram slammed the BJP for allegedly subverting democracy and making a backdoor entry to power in Manipur and Goa. He charged the saffron party of stealing the elections in these states which threw a hung Assembly.

BJP will form government on March 18, the same day on which the Manipur Assembly term ends.

Biren Singh likely to be chief minister, Th Biswajit may become his deputy

More defections to BJP likely

Tensions are running high within the Congress after the defection by Shyamkumar Singh. Eighteen more Congress MLAs are likely to defect to the BJP

BJP MLAs and supporting MLAs meet Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla, stake claim to form govt

BJP in striking distance of forming a government in Manipur

​The BJP is within a striking distance of forming a government in Manipur with the National People's Party (NPP) extending support to it and thus enabling it reach the vaunted 31-seat-mark in the 60-member state assembly, NPP National President Conrad Sangma said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party won 21 seats in the assembly elections held earlier this month. It has already been promised support by the Naga People's Front which has four seats, the Lok Janshakti Party (one) and one Independent.

The NPP won four seats in the recent assembly elections.

Sangma said they will meet Governor Najma Heptulla to stake claim to forming the government in the state.

BJP close to forming government in Manipur for the first time

Out of a total of 60 seats in the Assembly, BJP has managed to snap up 21 seats and it needs 10 more seats to achieve the magic number and form a government in the state.

The Naga People's Front which has won four seats will not support Congress, said a press release issued by it. The release also said that it will support any non-Congress led government.

The National People's Party, which has won four seats too has announced its support for the saffron party. It still needs two more seats.

If the BJP manages to woo the Independent MLA Ashab Uddin (who has one seat) and the Lo Jan Shakti Party (which too has one seat to it's name), the BJP is in the rare position to form government in a state it is a new-comer to.

BJP close to forming government in Manipur

ANI reported that the BJP was close to forming a government in Manipur after the National People's Party announced its support.

NPF official: Will support any non-Congress party to form government

The Naga People's Front (NPF) will support any non-Congress party to form the new government in Manipur, an NPF official said on Sunday. 

The Naga People's Front bagged four seats in the Manipur elections, which threw up a hung Assembly with the ruling Congress bagging 28 of the 60 seats and the BJP making giant strides to net 21 seats.

"We are an alliance of NDA and therefore we will support the North East Democratic Alliance, which comprises non-Congress parties even in Manipur," NPF spokesperson," Achumbemo Kikon said.

He asserted that NPF will not join the Congress even if approached to form the government in the state, maintaining the party's earlier stance to rid the region of the Congress party.

BJP seeks appointment with Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla, ANI reports

Congress spokesperson alleges that BJP has 'abducted' an independent MLA

Congress spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala has alleged that the BJP used the CISF to 'abduct' independent MLA  Ashab Uddin at the Imphal airport and have flown him to Kolkata. 

A local reporter told Firstpost that Ashab Uddin was travelling with Congress MLA Abdul Nasir. According to reports, when Nasir and Ashab Uddin arrived at the airport, a scuffle took place between Nasir and BJP MLA Th Bishwajit. 

The CISF then allegedly handed over Ashab Uddin to the BJP team at Imphal, who reportedly arranged for a special flight to take Asabuddin to Guwahati. The flight reportedly took off 3:40 pm.

According to reports, Assam Finance minister Himanta Bishwa, convenor, North-East Democratic Alliance, also met Ashab Uddin at the airport and strongly lobbied for him to join the BJP.

Congress spokesperson accuses BJP of manipulation

NPP to play kingmaker in Manipur

Outlook reported that the National People’s Party of former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma is likely to play kingmaker in Manipur

Okram Ibobi Singh elected as leader of Congress legislature party

We will form govt with secular, regional parties: Manipur Congress

​Imphal: With Manipur heading for a hung assembly, Manipur PCC President T N Haokip said on Saturday his party would form the next government with the help of "like-minded secular and regional parties."

The 60-member Manipur assembly is headed for a hung assembly as none of the political parties managed to reach the magic figure of 31.

"We are confident that we will form the next government in Manipur. We are already in talks with like-minded secular and regional parties," Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Haokip told PTI.

Apart from the Congress and the BJP which had bagged 19 and 18 seats respectively and are leading in five and three seats, National Peoples Party (NPP) has won three and is leading in one seat. The Naga Peoples Front, which has an alliance with the BJP in Nagaland, too bagged three seats and is leading in one.

Lok Jan Shakti Party too won a seat.

Asked if the Congress is open to an alliance with the NPF, Haokip said "The Congress will never go for an alliance with the NPF and the BJP. We are open for alliance with any other party."

PTI

Manipur headed for hung assembly as Congress, BJP in close battle

A big story of the election is the emergence of the BJP as a formidable contender for power. Having finished without any seat five years back, it outfit has come up with its best ever showing in the assembly polls in the northeastern state. While it is certain to finish as one of the two largest parties, its leaders were hoping to do one better with four results yet to come.
 

The Congress was putting up a good show, with the BJP giving them a close run for money, in the six districts of the Imphal Valley comprising 40 constituencies.
 

In the ten hill districts, where the Congress is comparatively weak, the BJP and the Naga People's Front were battling it out for the 20 seats. The NPF was leading in all three districts in Senapati district.

Read full article here.

BJP President Amit Shah addresses press conference

Addressing media soon after the projected victory in Uttar Pradesh, BJP president Amit Shah said that this is a historic mandate for BJP. 

"Will never contest elections again," says Irom Sharmila after defeat in Thoubal

​

After losing the Assembly election in Thoubal, Irom Sharmila, upset by the turn of events, told The Indian Express she would never contest elections again. Sharmila only netted 90 votes in the Assembly election. The activist was taking on Chief Minister Okram Ibobi in his own constituency.

The BJP and Congress are neck and neck, according to reports

According to CNN-News 18, these are the numbers 
Party: Lead
INC:  20
BJP: 20
Others: 10
 

According to NDTV, these are the numbers 
Party: Lead
INC: 25
BJP: 24
Others: 8
 

According to Times Now, these are the numbers
Party: Lead
INC: 18
BJP: 23
NPP: 3
Others:5

BJP makes giant strides in Manipur

Latest data released by the Election Commission shows the BJP made giant strides in Manipur. Their vote share increased by 32.48 percent, while the Congress' vote share declined 8.42 percent.

In comparison, in the 2012 Assembly election, the BJP's entire vote share was 2.12 percent, while the Congress netted 42.42 percent.

A Bimol Akoijam, a Manipur intellectual, said that the Congress anticipated this outcome as Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh did not campaign in the 2012 Assembly election, however, this time, he went around asking for votes.

Despite appearances, Congress doing well in hill areas

The Congress makes inroads in Naga areas, wins Karong constituency. INC candidate DD Thaisii wins the constituency by 4293 votes. The trailing candidate is BJP's R Yuh Jonathan Tao with 9745 votes.

Kipgen wins in Kangpokpi

BJP leader Nemcha Kipgen is wins in the Kangpokpi constituency by 2297 votes defeating independent candidate Kharga Tamang. Kipgen is the wife of Kuki National Front chief and recently defected from the Congress to the BJP.

Congress marginally ahead of BJP in Manipur, reports say

Congress was running in pole position with the BJP running a close second in the Manipur Assembly polls, as counting of votes progressed on Saturday. According to IANS, out of 39 constituencies for which trends were available, the Congress was leading in 17, and the BJP in 14, while the Left was leading in four. 

In the prestigious Thoubal constituency, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh defeated his nearest BJP rival Leitanthem Basanta Singh and social activist Irom Sharmila, who received around 90 votes.

Thirty companies of central forces have been deployed to guard the counting centres. The Election Commission officials are monitoring the counting online with CCTV facilities.

The race remains tight in Manipur

According to CNN-News 18, these are the numbers

Party: Lead
INC:  14
BJP: 14
Others: 10

According to NDTV, these are the numbers

Party: Lead
INC: 20
BJP: 15
Others: 11

According to Times Now, these are the numbers

Party: Lead
INC: 12
BJP: 13
NPP: 6
Others: 7

D Korungthang of Indian National Congress wins Tengnoupal seat

In Keirao constituency, Independent candidate, MD Nasiruddin Khan wins by 111 votes to his close BJP rival Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei

According to reports, this election is a real nail-biter

CNN-News 18
Congress: 14
BJP: 11
Others: 11
PRJA: 0
 
Times Now
Congress: 13
BJP: 12
Others: 5
NPP: 2
PRJA: 0
 
NDTV
Congress: 21
BJP: 14
Left: 1
PRJA: 0

Latest trends in state

BJP's Nemcha Kipgen leads in Kangpokpi

​NPP's Phunjathang leads in Churachandpur

Latest trend : Leading 

INC  - 9
BJP - 9 (Declared -1)
NPP - 3
IND  - 3
NPF - 3

According to reports, a tight race is unfolding between the BJP and Congress

CNN-News 18
Congress: 12
BJP: 13
Others: 8
PRJA: 0
 
Times Now
Congress: 10
BJP: 11
Others: 5
NPP: 2
PRJA: 0
 
NDTV
Congress: 18
BJP: 13
Left: 2
PRJA: 0

Irom Sharmila loses to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh

According to CNN-News 18, Irom Sharmila, contesting the election as a candidate of her People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), lost to Congress candidate Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in Thoubal constituency.  PTI reported that Sharmila picked up only 51 votes in Thoubal, which is the home constituency of the chief minister. 

Trends so far according to reports
 
CNN-News 18
Congress: 11
BJP: 10
Others: 6
PRJA: 0
 
Times Now
Congress: 8
BJP: 7
Others: 3
NPP: 2
PRJA: 0
 
NDTV
Congress: 15
BJP: 10
Others: 5
PRJA: 0

Just 51 votes for Irom Sharmila, Ibobi Singh in the lead

In Thoubal, Irom Sharmila has managed to secure just 51 votes in Thoubal, according to PTI. Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is leading BJP candidate Leitanthem Basanta Singh by over 2000 votes.

The BJP is leading in Konthoujam, Chandel and Thangmeiband, while the Congress is leading in Lilong.  The Naga People's Front is leading in Mao (ST) Assembly seat.

Trends so far according to reports

News18

Congress: 6

BJP: 9

Others: 2

PRJA: 0

Times Now

Congress: 6

BJP: 5

Others: 3

PRJA: 0

NDTV

Congress: 10

BJP: 4

Others: 3

PRJA: 0

Trends so far according to reports

News18:

Congress: 5

BJP: 3

Others: 2

PRJA: 0

Times Now:

Congress: 3

BJP: 1

Others: 3

NDTV:

Congress: 5

BJP: 1

Others: 1

Trends so far according to reports

News18:

Congress: 3

BJP: 2

Others: 2

Times Now:

Congress: 2

BJP: 1

Others: 2

NDTV:

Congress: 2

BJP: 1

Others: 1

​Irom Sharmila trails CM Ibobi Singh in Thoubal 

According to CNN-News 18, Irom Sharmila is trailing Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in Thoubal constituency. Singh is a canny political operator who is running for his fourth consecutive term.

Irom Sharmila says she will not give up

Irom Sharmila speaking to ANI, appeared in a defiant mood, even as vote counting began. Sharmila said that if she was defeated in this Assembly election, she would not give up. "I will try again in the 2019 national election," she said.

Irom Sharmila ahead of counting of votes

"I do not feel much affected by the result. It depends upon the people's mindset. I don't feel much affected by it, because people can still change their minds and everybody knows muscle and money power is being openly used by parties," Irom Sharmila told ANI.

Northeast region in grip of BJP wave, will form govt in Manipur, says Ram Madhav

"Like all parts of India, a BJP wave has gripped the entire northeastern region. People want BJP government everywhere for good governance," Ram Madhav told India Today

State on tenterhooks as predictions swing wild between Congress, BJP

Key candidates in Manipur

As the major exit polls predict their results for Manipur Assembly Election, one clear takeaway is that BJP is enjoying an ascendancy in north-eastern states. The Congress party's 15-year rule Manipur seems to be coming to an end, as exit polls forecast the BJP will likely win the 60-strong Manipur Assembly election.

After two phases of voting, Manipur's polling process has ended and results will be declared on Saturday. Here's a brief list of possible chief ministerial candidates for the state:

Can BJP recreate its Assam success in another North East state?

Like Assam, the BJP in Manipur was pitted against a three-time chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, someone who had acquired an aura of invincibility in the state. His loss would be a huge blow to the Congress. It would lose another state and add to the string of losses that the party faced since 2013. It would also mean announcing that one of its most powerful regional leader has retired hurt and wounded.

The BJP and RSS had been working for long in this area without tangible results. It was Atal Bihari Vajpayee as prime minister who created a separate ministry for welfare of the North East. But small administrative measures were no substitute for ground politics.

Since the time Narendra Modi became BJP's prime ministerial candidate, he placed equal emphasis on the North East just as any other part of the country. He addressed multiple rallies in different parts of the North East and becoming the prime minister, North East remained high on the agenda. Party president Amit Shah gave this agenda a push and took it to party forums.

Ibobi confident that his party will perform well and form government in state

On Friday, in an interview with ANI Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh expressed confidence of achieving absolute majority in the Assembly polls.

He said that the Congress would win around 42 seats in the 60-member assembly.

"I am hopeful that the people of Manipur will give a clear mandate to our party. We are confident of getting a clear majority this time. We will win anywhere between 40 and 42 seats," he said.

Exit polls have predicted a remarkable victory for the Congress in Manipur.

Ibobi will have tough time forming govt if Congress gets less than 25 seats

The prediction comes at a time when the frontier state has seen swelling of Meitei and Naga nationalistic sentiments giving Congress in the Valley and Naga People’s Front (NPF) in the hills an edge over other parties.

According to CVoter survey prediction the saffron party will bag 25 to 31 seats in the state that has 60 assembly constituencies.

The survey also predicts that the ruling Congress would get at the most 23 seats.

While reacting to CVoter survey result, Elangbam Johnson, President of the United Council of Manipur told Firstpost that in ground the situation looks different from what it has been predicted.

“It seems that both Congress and BJP will stand on equal footing in the result. The result is likely to be shared more or less 50-50, by both the parties,” he says.