India, Oct. 26 -- Continuing violence and internal divisions have cast a shadow over the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) preparations for the upcoming Manipur elections and its bid to retain power in the state for a third term, party leaders aware of the matter said.

Manipur is slated to go to polls early next year, alongside Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand. State BJP leaders said they were banking on the Union government to restore peace in the strife-torn state and bridge the divide between warring communities before the polling cycle kicked in.

"Both the union and the state government have been making efforts to end the violence that has left many dead and displaced. But there is a need to take more steps both politi...