New Delhi: The Congress party on Tuesday announced 10 more candidates in its second list for the Manipur election 2022.
The party had announced 40 candidates earlier. With the second list, Congress is yet to reveal names for 10 remaining seats.
Congress has fielded Hijam Nutanchandra Singh from Thangmeiband, Moirangthem Momo Singh from Sagolband, Ningombam Helendro Singh from Yaiskul, and Ningthoujam Biren Singh from Sekmai (SC).
The party has also given tickets to Ningthoujam Joykumar Singh from Bishenpur, Pukhrem Sharatchandra Singh from Moirang, Badrur Rahman from Jiribam, Dr. Jangkhopao Haokip from Chandel (ST), Kipgen from Kangpokpi, and Mangchinkhup Paite from Churachandpur (ST).
Notably, BJP MLA P Saratchandra on Monday joined the Congress, a day after he quit the saffron camp, having failed to secure a ticket for Manipur assembly polls.
Senior BJP leaders N Biren and N Joykumar also followed suit.
Saratchandra, who represents the Moirang seat, accused the BJP of favouring newcomers to old-timers.
He was apparently referring to M Prithivraj, who switched over from the Congress to the BJP last year and has been given the saffron camp's ticket from Moirang.
Prithviraj had lost to Saratchandra by less than 400 votes in the last elections.
ALSO READ | Punjab Election 2022 | PM Modi To Visit State Soon For Poll Campaign: Capt Amarinder Singh
Significantly, seeking to defeat the BJP-led government in Manipur, Congress joined hands with five other political parties to form a pre-poll alliance.
Congress is the poll sharing responsibility with CPI, CPI(M), RSP, JD(S), and Forward Block in the forthcoming assembly elections.
According to Congress, the parties have joined hands with a common goal to defeat the BJP.
Polling for the Manipur Assembly will be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.
The counting of votes will take place on March 10.