Manipur: Ex-minister Chaltolian Amo joins Congress ahead of polls

Former Manipur minister Chaltolian Amo joined the Congress on Monday, November 2, along with former revenue officer D P Haokip, as the party builds up its organisation in the state before the Assembly election expected early next year, India Today NE reported.

The two joined at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence at 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, in the presence of senior party leaders.

Who is Chaltolian Amo

Amo represented the Tipaimukh Assembly constituency in southern Manipur, which was earlier part of Churachandpur district. He was first elected in 1995 and won the seat four times, and served as a minister in the state government.

In the 2022 Assembly election he contested from Tipaimukh as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate but lost.

D P Haokip, the other new entrant, is associated with the Saikot Assembly constituency in the Churachandpur area, according to the Congress.

Congress leaders welcome the pair

AICC in-charge of Manipur Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, former chief minister and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president O Ibobi Singh, and former MPCC president Keisham Meghachandra Singh attended the joining. MPCC working presidents Victor Keishing and Manga Vaiphei and general secretary Amir Huisen were also present.

Meghachandra Singh called the induction a boost for the party. In a post on X, he said he looked forward to their contribution to strengthening the Congress in Manipur and to working towards "a peaceful, united and prosperous Manipur".

Election preparations

The Congress is trying to expand its base in Manipur after more than three years of ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which began in May 2023. The state's next Assembly election is due early next year.

On Monday, Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also reviewed the party's poll strategy and the law-and-order situation in Manipur with state leaders, National Herald reported. The party has blamed the BJP for the prolonged crisis in the state.

Joining by former MLAs and local leaders from the hill districts could matter for the Congress, which won only five of the 60 seats in 2022. The BJP formed the government that year with 32 seats.

Amo and Haokip have not yet said publicly whether they will contest the coming election.