The National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Manipur Assembly election 2022. The party announced its candidates for 20 of the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly in its first list.
Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar who is also the chairman Election Management Committee of NPP, Manipur announced the list before the media after being approved by NPP national president of Conrad Sangma, who is also chairman of the NPP Central Election Committee, during a press conference held at MAYOL, Iroisemba, Imphal West.
Of the 20 candidates, only two candidates from the constituencies (Chandel and Tadubi) of hill districts were included in the list.
Joykumar, while replying to a query raised by the media, said that none of the candidates have a background of hideous crime, however some of them have few minor police cases based on false allegations.
He also informed that NPP will consider any politicians, who newly joined the party, for giving the party ticket if the person has the prospect of winning the election.
Announcing that the second phase of the candidates will be declared before the end of January, he said the list will probably include four or five more candidates from hill districts.
During the release of NPP manifesto on Sunday, Joykumar had announced that the party will at least produce 40 candidates for the 60 Assembly seats.
The party's stand has been made very clear in the manifesto launched, he said, adding that the party will ensure that the vision which lies within the people of Manipur is translated into reality.
When asked about the party’s action plan to work for the removal of AFSPA from Manipur, which had been very active when Joykumar himself was the DGP of Manipur, he replied, “AFSPA is no longer required in Manipur.”
He explained that when he was the DGP, the state forces were not able to handle the militant issue and situation, so AFSPA was in need during those periods.
“However before my retirement from Manipur police I have made the Manipur police fit enough to handle all law and order situations without external support. So AFSPA is no longer required,” he said.
NPP, Manipur working president L Jayantakumar and National People’s Youth Front national president Ratika Yumnam also attended the press conference.
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