Imphal, January 11: The Federal Party of Manipur and Manipur People�s Party have come out with the first phase candidate list for the 8th Assembly elections, for which the State will go to polls on February 12 and 21.The Congress has announced the candidate�s name for all the 60 Assembly constituencies with a little modification from the earlier approved list published by this paper.

The final list announced by the Congress contained no surprise elements and omission of Y Irabot from the candidate list was a foregone conclusion.

However in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa the party�s high command decided to award the party�s ticket to W Leima Devi, wife of Congress Rajya Sabha MP, W Angou Singh.

In its first phase the FPM has announced the names of 49 candidates.

Of these, 31 are general candidates, two scheduled caste, 15 scheduled tribe and one woman ST candidate.

A number of heavyweights including former deputy chief minister Dr L Chandramani and former minister Gangmumei Kamei have been officially named as candidates of the FPM.

MPP also announced the names of 15 candidates.

Of the fifteen candidates announced today, four are former Males while the rest are all fresh faces.

The Manipur National Conference founded by former chef minister W Nipamacha has also announced the first phase candidate list.

Sixteen names including Nipamacha and former Assembly Speaker W Babudhon feature in the list.

Former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing, senior leader Y Khogendra, Amutombi Singh, and Phungzathang Tonsing figure in the 60-candidates for Congress.

The party has fielded only two women candidates AK Mirabai Devi (Patsoi) and W Leima Devi (Naoriya Pakhanglakpa) respectively.