When Chief Minister Ibobi Singh sees the results of the Manipur Assembly elections, he’ll know more than anyone else that his gamble didn’t pay off – the one he took late last year when he carved out new districts in the state.
On 9 December, the Congress government in Manipur created seven new districts by splitting the existing nine districts, taking the total to 16.
While the Naga-dominated hill districts like Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel were outraged, this was seen as a masterstroke by CM Ibobi Singh. One that could ensure his political future as the next chief minister of Manipur. With this, the Congress may have thought it had guaranteed itself an electoral victory, at least in the seats in the valley, which is home to 40 of Manipur’s 60 assembly seats.