While the BJP has listed prominent personalities like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as star campaigners, the Congress' list of campaigners includes Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and other prominent leaders. Although no one has visited Manipur yet.
Manipur Chief Electoral Officer Pradeep Jha told PTI, “No restriction has been imposed on election campaign by the Election Commission. Anything that comes within the purview of the model code of conduct is allowed.
To deal with the difficult situation, BJP candidate Thaunaojam Basant Kumar Singh, Congress's Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Republican Party of India's Maheshwar Thaunaojam and Manipur People's Party (MPP)-backed Rajmukar Somendro Singh have come forward with unique solutions.
Maheshwar Thounaojam, who deployed teams of volunteers for door-to-door campaigning, said, “It would have been better if I addressed public meetings and held rallies, but I have decided to keep the campaign limited.” He said, 'In the current situation, voters know the importance of their vote and will choose thoughtfully.'
The outgoing Education and Law Minister of the state Basant Kumar Singh is contesting the Lok Sabha elections this time. He is holding small meetings at his residence and party office.
There are posters put up at the Congress office in Imphal in support of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and Akoizam.
BJP Manipur unit president A. Sharda Devi told PTI, “Elections are important for us but we cannot rub salt on people's wounds by pomp and show. Elections are also like a festival but we cannot celebrate the festival with enthusiasm due to the current situation.
Situation is under control in Manipur- Official
The officer, requesting anonymity, said, “Though the situation is currently under control, any vigorous campaign could be detrimental to the law and order of the state and no party wants to take that risk.”
219 people have died in ethnic conflict
At least 219 people have been killed in the caste conflict that broke out in the state on May 3 last year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Apart from this, more than 50,000 internally displaced people are currently living in relief centers in five valley districts and three hill districts.
Workers came, but no candidates
Dima, a mother of two and living in a relief camp in the Meitei-dominated Kwakithem area, said, “Some party workers have come once or twice but no candidate has come. If they come, they will know the conditions in which we are living in the camps. There is no possibility of solution or peace in the state.
Meanwhile, the situation is similar in Kuki community dominated areas like Moreh and Churachandpur. Some Kuki factions and social groups have also called for boycott of the elections.
Despite normalcy appearing in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley with business activities resuming and institutions opening, the widespread presence of security forces highlights the long-standing tension and challenges faced by the population.
(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by the NDTV team and is published directly from a syndicated feed.)
