BJP appears set to emerge as single largest party in Manipur

National Peoples’ Party (NPP), which was a BJP ally and contested 38 seats, was leading on seven and Congress on three seats

GUWAHATI: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appeared set to emerge as the single largest party in Manipur and may fall short of a majority by a few seats. Till 11:30 am, the party was leading on 22 out of the 41 seats, where the counting was taking place. Counting was to begin for the remaining 19 seats. Manipur has a 60-member assembly.

Chief minister N Biren Singh was ahead of his nearest rival P Saratchandra of the Congress by nearly 18,000 votes. (ANI)

Chief minister N Biren Singh was ahead of his nearest Congress rival P Saratchandra by nearly 18,000 votes. National Peoples’ Party (NPP), which was a BJP ally, was leading on seven and Congress three seats. NPP contested 38 seats.

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Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF), which fielded 10 candidates, was leading on four seats. Independent candidates were leading on two seats, Janata Dal (United) two and newly formed Kuki Peoples’ Alliance on one.

In 2017, Congress emerged as the single-largest party by winning 28 out of the 60 seats. But the BJP, which bagged 21 seats, was able to form a government with the support of NPP, NPF, and Lok Janshakti Party.