Manipur, March 21 -- Lok Sabha 2024 elections in the state of Manipur would be interesting to watch in the case of Outer Manipur constituency. The constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) had seen representation of both Naga and Kuki leaders since 1952. The late Rishang Keishing had first won the seat in 1952 with a Socialist Party ticket; after which stalwarts like R Suisa, Paokai Haokip, Yangmasho Shaiza, N Gouzagin and Meijinlung Kamson had followed one after another. Altogether sixNagas and fivefrom Kuki-Chin group had represented the outer constituency.

In 1998, NSCN (I-M) chose to boycott the elections and two Kukis in the person of Kim Gangte and Holkhomang Haokip won in 1998 and 1999. After that, an independent candidate M...