Congress opts out of Manipur Rajya Sabha election

IMPHAL — The opposition Congress in Manipur has decided not to field a candidate for the upcoming election to the state's lone Rajya Sabha seat scheduled for June 18.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) held at Congress Bhavan in Imphal on Saturday.

Sources said the party resolved against contesting the election due to its inadequate numerical strength in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The Congress currently has only five MLAs in the 60-member Assembly and does not meet the minimum requirement needed to propose a candidate. At least six MLAs are required to act as proposers for a Rajya Sabha nominee.

The effective strength of the Assembly now stands at 58 following the expiry of the terms of MLAs N. Kayisii of Tadubi and Vungzagin Valte of Thanlon.

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In the present House, the BJP has 36 MLAs, followed by the National People's Party (6), Naga People's Front (5), Congress (5), Kuki People's Alliance (2), Janata Dal (United) (1), and two Independents.

Meanwhile, the BJP has already nominated Adhikarimayum Sarda Devi as its candidate for the 2026 Rajya Sabha biennial election.

The BJP announced her candidature on June 4. Sarda Devi, who became the first woman president of the BJP's Manipur unit in 2021, is widely expected to secure the seat.

According to the election schedule, June 8 is the last date for filing nominations, followed by scrutiny on June 9. Candidates may withdraw their nominations until June 11, while polling and counting, if required, will be held on June 18.