41 ex-MLAs bite dust in the husting

Imphal, February 28: Altogether 41 candidates who were MLAs in the 7th State Assembly including bigwigs like former Chief Ministers Rishang Keishing, Radhabinod Koijam, W Nipamacha and former Deputy-Chief Minister Dr L Chandramani who were tipped as Chief Ministerial candidates in the pre-poll scenario could not make a return trip to the 8th State Assembly. Others biting the dust include State Assembly Speaker Dr S Dhananjoy, Prof Gangmumei Kamei, H Bidur, H Bhuban and Dr Y Jiten. A total of 59 former MLAs contested in the recent poll. Of them, 17 have returned to the new House Prominent among them are BJP Chief ministerial candidate RK Dorendra, O Joy, Nimaichand Luwang, Govindas, Samuel Jendai, Thangminlien and Songchinkhup. Ex-MLA from Lilong AC Md Allaudin did not contest the election. On the other hand, the 8th State Assembly will see 43 new faces. Those making their debl.ts include Congress president O Ibobi, Th Devendra and BJP president Meinam Bhorot. However, the focus is on Ibobi who has been elected the leader of the Congress Legislature Party which is heading a four party alliance Secular Progressive Front (SPF) comprising MSCP, CPI and NCP and waiting to form the next Government in the State. Vivek Raj, on whose oath taking day the last Samata Party led Govt fell, has won for a second time from Kshetrigao and is all poised to be included in the Ministry in case SPF forms the Govt. W Leima of INC will be the lone female member in the 60 seat House. The former Minister of State retained her Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC seat. Three former scribes have made it to the House. They are N Biren (DRPP) in Heingang AC, Bijoy Koijam (MSCP) in Thongju and TN Haokip in (INC) in Saikot AC. Of the 368 candidates contested (including three who withdrew from the fray after withdrawal of nominations), 198 candidates lost security deposits failing to secure the l/6th of the total electorates in the respective constituencies. He is followed by Independent candidate in Churachandpur AC T Mangkhopao (3), MNC's S Achou (6) in Sugnu AC and DRPP's Manglianthang in Chandel AC and NNLP's Lole Lohe in Tadubi AC securing just 7 votes each. BJP candidate in Chandel AC BD Behring leads among those winning with the highest number of votes getting 23,219 followed by Samata Party's D Korungthang (17,130) in Tengnoupal district.