The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) announced its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state on Friday, selecting JNU professor Akoijam Bimol Angomcha for the Inner Manipur parliamentary seat and Alfred Kanngam Arthur for the Outer Manipur constituency.
MPCC president Keisham Meghachandra confirmed the nominations, stating, "Prof Akoijam Bimol Angomcha will contest from the Inner Manipur parliamentary seat, while Alfred Kanngam Arthur will represent the party in the Outer Manipur constituency."
Akoijam, renowned for his academic insights into the violence that erupted in May last year, enjoys widespread popularity in Manipur. Meanwhile, former MLA Alfred Kanngam Arthur hails from the Tangkhul Naga-dominated Ukhrul district.
In response, the Naga People's Front (NPF) has nominated K Timothy Zimik, a former IRS officer, as its candidate for the Outer Manipur seat.
Additionally, the Communist Party of India (CPI) plans to field Sotinkumar Laishram, the general secretary of All India Trade Union Congress Manipur (AITUC), for the Inner Manipur seat.
Elections in Manipur are scheduled to be held in two phases, with the Inner Manipur constituency going to polls on April 19, alongside at least 15 assembly segments of Outer Manipur.
Thirteen assembly segments of Outer Manipur will follow suit on April 26.
