Elections to the first phase of assembly elections in Manipur began on Monday. The prominent candidates in the fray include chief minister and BJP candidate N. Biren Singh, Assembly Speaker Y. Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and NPP candidate Yumnam Joykumar and Manipur Congress president N. Lokesh Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had actively campaigned in the northeastern state. The BJP had formed the government in Manipur in 2017 with the support of the National People's Party (NPP), Naga People's Front (NPF), and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). However, they are contesting alone this time. The Congress has formed an alliance with CPI, CPI(M), Forward Bloc, RSP and Janata Dal (Secular).
He had last week said the BJP's "double-engine" government has laid strong a foundation for Manipur for the next 25 years. Addressing an election rally in Imphal, Modi said the stability and peace achieved in the last five years have to be made permanent, urging the people of the Northeastern state to re-elect the BJP government. "Last month, Manipur completed 50 years of its formation. During this period, the state witnessed several governments and their works. But after decades of Congress rule, Manipur got only inequality," he said.
In the last five years, BJP's "double-engine" government has worked with sincerity for the development of Manipur, he said, adding that "you saw both good governance and good intention". Through hard work "we have laid a strong foundation for the next 25 years", the prime minister said. "This election will decide the future of Manipur for the next 25 years," he said. Modi called upon the first-time voters of the state to press the button for 'lotus'—the BJP's election symbol, stating that they have become an important part of the government's agenda.