IMPHAL, Jan 22 (IANS): The Trinamool Congress Sunday said it will field 47 candidates in Manipur and that unlike West Bengal, it has no alliance with the ruling Congress in the northeastern state.
Trinamool's state unit president Kim Gangte told reporters that party leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit the state Wednesday and address several public gatherings.
"Trinamool Congress has fielded 47 candidates, including on tribal reserve seats. The party has no alliance with the Congress," Gangte said.
While the Trinamool did not win any seats in the last elections, five independent lawmakers joined the party in 2009. They are now contesting as Trinamool candidates.
Elections will be held in Manipur Jan 28 to pick a 60-member assembly. In all 279 candidates, including 14 women, are in the fray.
The newly formed Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF), comprising five parties, has nominated candidates in all 60 seats.
The Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP) is the dominant partner of the Front. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) are the other allies.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is supporting PDF in most seats.
The Communist Party of India (CPI), an ally of the ruling Congress, has fielded candidates in 10 seats.
The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party in 2007 by winning 30 seats, too is contesting on all 60 seats.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who has already made electoral history in Manipur by completing two successive terms, is contesting from Thoubal assembly seat in central Manipur.
