New Delhi, January 16 (PTI): The BJP has decided to retain most of the sitting MLAs in Punjab and Manipur for next month's Assembly polls.

Shunned by its former ally Samata Party, the BJP is going it alone in Manipur and will contest 48 of the 60 Assembly seats while in Punjab, where it is a partner of the ruling Akali Dal (Badal), the party will put up 23 candidates retaining 15 of the 18 sitting MLAs.

Releasing the list for the two States, party general secretary Maya Singh told reporters that in Manipur, the party has dropped only four of the 26 sitting MLAs.

In Manipur, the party is likely to enter into alliance with smaller groups for 12 seats.

Among the prominent BJP leaders being fielded in Punjab are Ministers Balramji Das Tandon and Lakshmikanta Chawla, and State leader Madan Mohan Mittal.

However; the party has fielded a woman candidate each in the two States.