Imphal, May 6: Many political rivals in Manipur are now fighting against each other in the High Court by filing election petitions after the conclusion of elections to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

A total of 15 petitions have been filed by rival candidates against Ministers and MLAs, challenging the results of their victory in the assembly elections held in February-March 2022.

With this, 36 election petitions involving 17 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs, including two ministers, are pending in the court.

The latest 15 petitions admitted by the court include 10 against BJP MLAs and one each against Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) and Janata Dal (United) MLAs.

The 10 BJP legislators are Paonam Brojen, Karam Shyam, Kh Ibomcha, Th Shyamkumar, L. Rameshwor, Kebi Devi, S Premchandra Singh, SS Olish and Ministers – Govindas Konthoujam and Th Biswajit.

The KPA MLA is Chinlunthang Zou and the JD (U) MLA is Y. Joykishan Singh. Some candidates are facing more than one petition challenging their victory.

Almost all the petitions were filed challenging improper filing of nomination form and non-disclosure of educational qualification and non-disclosure of assets and corrupt practices.

Among the petitions, two filed by Y. Surchandra against Mayanglambam Rameswhar Singh (NPP) and Seram Neken against Thongam Biswajit were for non-disclosure of criminal cases.

In connection with the election petitions, Minister Govindas Konthoujam of Bishenpur constituency said that as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the people have been given the power to elect their representative. “Those who failed to get the mandate of people go to court out of frustration,” he remarked.