Summary:
New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) Confident of retaining power in upcoming assembly elections, Manipur"s first BJP Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday asserted that his party will double its tally this time and is trying hard to get a two-third majority on its own and said a post-poll alliance can also be forged if it is required.
He also said that Congress, the main opposition party in his state, is on the decline not only in Manipur but the entire North-East and that he was confident about the five-year performance of his government finding favour with the electorate.
The Bhartiya Janata Party had formed a government in 2017 despite having just 21 seats compared to Congress"s 28 by joining hands with two local parties - NPP and NPF.
Later, BJP"s own strength increased to 30 after some MLAs defected from Congress and other parties.
The elections for Manipur"s 60-member state assembly will be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3, while counting of votes will take place on March 10.
"Elections will show a massive change.