Jiribam, February 05: Unlike the last Assembly election where Ashangbam Biren then with the MSCP romped home by a thumping margin of 5473 votes over his nearest rival Th Devendra of the Congress, the going will not be smooth for any of the six candidates in the fray and the fight will see a close affair between K Sarat (FPM), Th Devendra (INC), E Dipti (DPP) and A Biren (MNC).

The other two candidates, Md Habib Ali (SAP) and Tahemang Panmei (Ind) may not be political heavy weights but their presence has certainly added a twist to the scenario as they are poised to eat into the vote banks of other candidates leaving the equation wide open.

Jiribam constituency may be divided into zones, Jiri Circle and Barak Circle.

While voters at Jiri circle have their own party allegiance and loyalty towards their choice of candidates, Barak circle is a different proposition altogether.

The mixed population which has given a sort of a cosmopolitan character to Barak Circle has also added to the enigma of the voter trend here.

Barak Circle is home to different communities each with their own interest.

The main communities are Hmars, Bengalis, Muslims, Hindu Bengalis, Khasis, Bishnupriyas, Vaipheis etc.

how the voters here behave will determine to a large extent the outcome of the election.

Notwithstanding the humiliating defeat he suffered in the last election, veteran Th Devendra of the Congress appears set to make a comeback.

The vote banks which he had cultivated through the years are still intact and what is more he appears to set to cut into the vote banks of his rivals.

For Ashangbam Biren, ex-MLA, the going appears to be thumpy.

Three of his trusted lieutenants have entered the fray threatening to eat into his vote banks.

It is not much the challenge posed to Devendra that is giving him sleepless nights but the presence of SAP candidate Md Habib Ali, and K Sarat and Tahemang Panmei.

All three were staunch supporters of Biren earlier.

For DPP candidate Dipti the scenario appears better than last time when he contested as a BJP candidate.

The fact that DPP is a freshly floated party without the shackles of reputation whether negative or positive, is going to stand him in good stead.