Congress, BJP set for June 2 face-off in Imphal civic polls

IMPHAL: After the BJP's electoral victory in Assam, the party rank and file are all set to take on the Congress in the June 2 elections for 27 Imphal Municipal Corporation wards spread over Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

As many as 1,75,864 voters will elect 27 councillors and 54 ward development committee members amid tight security at 255 polling stations.

Both the ruling Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party have fielded 26 candidates each for the municipal seats.

The campaigning for the civic elections will end on Tuesday evening.

However, supporters of the Inner Line Permit have declared a public curfew on June 2 and asked non-locals, who constitute the majority of voters in some municipal wards, to stay indoors from June 1 morning onwards.

State BJP President Khetrimatum Bhananda said people should vote for party candidates for a clean administration in these wards.

BJP's former state chief Thounaojam Chaoba said the party will win at least 15 wards.

On the other hand, the Congress is highlighting the developmental work done by the state government.

On May 19, the nomination papers of 87 candidates for 27 councillor posts were cleared by the returning officers, apart from the papers of 127 candidates for the 54-member development committee.

(Agencies)