Imphal, June 8: BJP candidates in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh submitted their nomination papers on Monday for the Rajya Sabha seats in the upcoming elections scheduled for June 18.
In Manipur, the state BJP president, Aikhom Sharda Devi, filed her nomination at the state assembly secretariat for the lone Rajya Sabha seat. She was accompanied by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, BJP observer and Assam MLA Rajdeep Roy, state Home Minister K. Govindas Singh, and several party legislators.
After submitting her nomination, Sharda Devi addressed the media, stating that if elected to the Rajya Sabha, her top priority would be issues concerning women in the state. She emphasized, “If I am elected to the upper house of Parliament, my primary focus will be to restore lasting peace in Manipur and to rehabilitate those displaced due to ethnic violence affecting the state.”
As of now, no opposition candidates have filed their nominations. The BJP holds a majority in the 60-member Manipur assembly with 36 legislators, followed by six from the National People’s Party. The Naga People’s Front and Congress each have five members, while the Kuki People’s Alliance has two and the Janata Dal (United) has one. There are also three independent legislators in the assembly.
All parties, except Congress, are allies of the ruling BJP. The Rajya Sabha elections in Manipur have become necessary as the term of the current BJP member, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishamba, will end on June 21.
In Arunachal Pradesh, former state BJP president Tai Tagak submitted his nomination for the state’s sole Rajya Sabha seat. He filed his papers in Itanagar before Returning Officer Tadar Meena, accompanied by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Home Minister Mama Natung, and BJP observer and Assam minister Ashok Singhal.
Tagak has been associated with the BJP for several years and is credited with strengthening the party’s organizational base in the northeastern state. The Rajya Sabha elections in Arunachal Pradesh are essential as the term of the current MP, Nabam Rebia, will conclude on June 23. The ruling BJP holds a significant majority in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh assembly, making Tagak’s victory likely.
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