NPP announces first list of 20 candidates

By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, Jan 24 : Just a day after announcing its manifesto, the National People's Party (NPP), an ally of the BJP led State Government, today released its first list of 20 candidates for the 2022 Assembly election during a function held at Mayol complex, Iroisemba.
The list includes two women, two candidates from hill districts and three sitting MLAs.
The candidates who have made it to the list include Yumnam Joykumar Singh (Uripok AC), Langpoklak-pam Jayantakumar Singh (Keishamthong AC); N Kayisii (Tadubi AC); Laitonjam Jayananda Singh (Khurai AC); Sheikh Noorul Hassan (Kshetrigao AC); Alhaj Mohd Nasiruddin Khan (Keirao AC); Oinam Romen Singh (Singjamei AC); Huidrom Vikramjit Singh (Yaiskul AC); W (O) Sumati Devi (Lamsang AC); K Sarat Singh (Konthoujam AC); Karam Nabakishor Singh (Langthabal AC); Kh Loken Singh (Wangoi AC); U Ramesh Singh (Mayang Imphal AC); I (O) Nalini Devi (Oinam AC); Th Shanti Singh (Moirang AC); N Diten Singh (Heirok AC); Usham Manglem Singh (Wangjing Tentha AC) ; M Ranjit Singh (Wabagai AC); Maibam Dhanabir Singh (Hiyanglam AC); Lunkhopao (Apao) Haokip (Chandel AC).
At the function, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar  said that the second candidates list of the party will be announced by January 31.
The complete list might be released in three phases, he added.
Saying that another 4-5 candidates from hill districts might be incorporated in its second or third list, Joykumar exuded confidence that candidates from other parties with prospects might still join NPP.
On being asked if any of NPP candidates  have criminal antecedents, the Deputy Chief Minister stated  that none of the  names in the list have ‘serious criminal cases’ against them.
Notably, NPP is the second political party to have published its first list of candidates after Congress which named 40 for the  State Assembly election on January 22.
The manifesto of NPP titled ‘People’s Action Document 2022’ was released yesterday and it centres on removal of AFSPA which is in the limelight following Nagaland's Mon incident on December 4-5.
Interestingly, NPP National vice president Y Joykumar announced yesterday that the party will easily secure 20 to 25 seats  by fielding around 40 candidates and has no plan of making a post-poll alliance with any party for the moment.
The ruling BJP is also preparing to publish its candidate  list after January 25 and for this some party leaders are camping at Delhi to seek inputs from its Central leaders.
The State will go to poll in two phases on February 27 and  March 3.
In the first phase, altogether 38 ACs - Khundrakpam, Heingang, Khurai, Kshetrigao, Thongju, Keirao, Andro, Lamlai, Thangmeiband, Uripok, Sagolband, Keisamthong, Singjamei, Yaiskul, Wangkhei, Sekmai (SC), Lamsang, Konthoujam, Patsoi, Langthabal, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, Wangoi, Mayang Imphal, Nambol, Oinam, Bishnupur, Moirang, Thanga, Kumbi, Saikul (ST), Kangpokpi, Saitu (ST), Tipaimukh (ST), Thanlon (ST), Henglep (ST), Churachandpur (ST), Saikot (ST), and Singnat (ST) will go to polls while Lilong, Thoubal, Wangkhem, Heirok, Wangjing Tentha, Khangabok, Wabagai, Kakching, Hiyanglam, Sugnu, Jiribam, Chandel (ST), Tengnoupal (ST), Phungyar (ST), Ukhrul (ST), Chingai (ST), Karong (ST), Mao (ST), Tadubi (ST), Tamei (ST), Tamenglong (ST), and Nungba (ST) will vote in the second phase.