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Congress sweeps back to power in Manipur
Helped by a fragmented opposition, the Congress today swept back to power for the third consecutive time in Manipur with a two-thirds majority in the 60-member assembly.
Helped by a fragmented opposition, the Congress today swept back to power for the third consecutive time in Manipur with a two-thirds majority in the 60-member assembly.
The Congress secured 42 seats, one more than the required 41 for two thirds majority in the troubled state.
The fragmented opposition, which formed a loose coalition recently named Peoples Democratic Alliance, managed to get only 18 seats.
But the Trinamool Congress, a partner of the alliance, sprang a surprise winning seven out of 48 seats it contested. It had a sole member in the outgoing House.
The Naga Peoples Front won four and NCP and LJP won a seat each and others five. The BJP also drew a blank.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh won from Thoubal and his wife O Landhoni Devi from Khangabok.
The CPI, which was a former coalition partner of the Congress in the erstwhile Secular Democratic Front failed to win a single seat.
CPI candidate and Agriculture minister, Ph Parijat Singh, who had won from Lamlai four times was defeated by the Congress' K Biren Singh. The CPI had contested 24 seats.
Senior Congress leader and Forest minister Th Debendra Singh won from Jiribam.
Social Welfare minister N Loren won the Nambol seat defeating former union sports minister Th Chaoba Singh of the Manipur Peoples Party.
Other ministers who won were T Phungzathang, N Biren Singh, T N Haokip and Y Erabot Singh.
Among two Congress ministers who lost were Minority minister Alauddin Khan from Keirao and Education minister D D Thaisi in Karong.
Also to lose were NCP President Radhabinode Koijam, Manipur Peoples Party leader O Joy, former union sports minister T Chaoba Singh of Manipur People's Party and Manipur State Congress Party President Y Mani Singh.
