Maharaj Leishemba of BJP wins lone Rajya Sabha from Manipur

Leishemba got 28 votes while Tongbram Mangibabu of Congress got 24 votes.

The counting of votes was delayed after protests from Congress and AITC over disqualification of some members and allowing three MLAs to vote inspite of directive from the High Court.

Leishemba is the grandson of the last Manipur King Boddhachandra and various organisations had opposed the entry of the titular king into politics. 

Polling to elect the member of Rajya Sabha from Manipur began today at 9 am and concluded at 4 pm at the Assembly premises amid tight security.

T Mangibabu, the Congress candidate, said the election was not free and fair. He questioned why four MLAs were disqualified while three were not. How can an MLA be disqualified immediately he asked. Such acts done today have not be seen anywhere in the world. It was nothing but show of strength and strangulation of democracy, he added.

T Mangibabu of Congress and Leishemba of BJP were the only candidates in the fray.

Eight MLAs didn't vote due to disqualification because of which 52 votes were cast.

Entry of people were restricted in the Assembly premises and precautions were taken up in view of the Covid 19 outbreak.

The election was held in the backdrop of withdrawal of support to the N Biren Singh government by nine MLAs and claim to form government by SPF formed by Congress, NPP, AITC and an Independent MLA, earlier this week.