Imphal/Itanagar, June 8 (IANS) BJP candidates in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh on Monday filed their nomination papers for the June 18 elections to the Rajya Sabha seats from the two Northeastern states.

In Manipur, state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi filed her nomination papers at the Manipur Assembly Secretariat for the election to the state’s sole Rajya Sabha seat.

Sharda Devi submitted her nomination in the presence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, BJP observer and Assam MLA Rajdeep Roy, state Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and several party legislators.

Addressing the media after filing her nomination, Sharda Devi said that if elected to the Rajya Sabha, she would prioritise issues concerning women in the state.

“If elected to the Upper House of Parliament, my foremost priorities would be the restoration of lasting peace in Manipur and the rehabilitation and resettlement of people displaced by the ethnic violence that has affected the state,” she said.

No opposition candidate has filed nomination papers so far.

In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, the BJP has 36 MLAs, followed by the National People’s Party with six members. The Naga People’s Front and the Congress have five MLAs each, while the Kuki People’s Alliance has two members and the Janata Dal-United has one. There are also three Independent legislators in the Assembly.

All parties, save the Congress, are allies of the ruling BJP.

The Rajya Sabha election in Manipur has been necessitated as the term of the sitting BJP member Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba is scheduled to end on June 21.

In Arunachal Pradesh, former state BJP President Tai Tagak on Monday filed his nomination papers for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from the state.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Home Minister Mama Natung, BJP observer and Assam Minister Ashok Singhal, Tagak filed his nomination before Returning Officer Tadar Meena at the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Secretariat in Itanagar.

Tagak has been associated with the BJP for several years and is widely credited with strengthening the party’s organisational base across the Northeastern state.

The Rajya Sabha election in Arunachal Pradesh has been necessitated as the tenure of incumbent MP Nabam Rebia is set to conclude on June 23. With the ruling BJP enjoying an overwhelming majority in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, Tagak is widely expected to secure victory in the election.

–IANS

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