A son is set to rise in the politics of poll-bound Manipur, following in the footsteps of his parents.
Manipur’s Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has paved the way for his only son Okram Surjakumar (29), to take a possible leadership position.
The district unit of the Congress in the Khangabok Assembly constituency has declared the London-educated, polo-playing ‘scion’ as the party candidate in place of Okram Landhoni, his mother and sitting MLA.
Ms. Landhoni, who is known to have entered the fray reluctantly a decade ago, had won the election to the Assembly twice from the Khangabok constituency.
Khangabok used to be Mr. Ibobi’s home constituency. Ten years ago he moved to Thoubal, leaving Khangabok to his wife.
In Thoubal some politicians had objected to his candidature, terming him an “outsider”. However he won the election with a comfortable margin. In the case of some politicians who tried their electoral luck in constituencies other than their home constituencies, voters did not even permit them to enter the constituency for electioneering.
Mr. Ibobi Singh is the first Chief Minister of Manipur to complete a five-year term and has been in office for three consecutive terms. He was first elected to the State Assembly in 1985.
In the last elections some insurgent groups had “banned” the Congress and the party’s candidates could not do electioneering for security concerns.
Mr. Ibobi Singh, who has Z-plus security cover, decided not to go to his constituency for routine electioneering.
He said he was more concerned about the safety of the voters who would be made accountable for challenging the boycott call.
Mr. Surjakumar graduated in economics in 2008 from London. He stayed back there for a year to work in a private company.
Then, after a period of stay in Delhi in 2010, he returned to Manipur in time for the 2012 election campaign.
He said his dream is to establish a number of residential schools so “students would not miss classes even during the frequent strikes and blockades” in the State.
Evidently seeking to pre-empt any criticism of his dynastic-style entry into politics, Mr. Surjakumar said: “I have been a loyal soldier of the Congress and it is in accordance with the wishes of the party and people that I am joining electoral politics.”
Mr. Ibobi’s nephew Okram Henry is also likely to contest from the Wangkhei constituency.
Elections to the 60-member Manipur Assembly are scheduled to be held from March 4 to 8.
