Imphal, June 19 – Voting began to elect a new member to the Rajya Sabha from Manipur on Friday amid the political upheaval wherein the BJP-led government has been reduced to a minority.

The opposition Congress which is making all efforts to oust the N. Biren Singh-led government from power has fielded  T Mangibabu against BJP’s nominee Leishemba Sanajoba in straight fight contest.

On Wednesday, three BJP legislators quit as members of the Manipur assembly and joined the Congress, and four National People’s Party (NPP) legislators, a Trinamool Congress legislator and an independent legislator withdrew support to the BJP-led-led coalition government.

NPP legislator L Jayantakumar on Thursday has openly declared that the party will not vote for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha election.

The Rajya Sable election is also litmus test for the BJP-led government as the newly formed Secular Progressive Front (SPF)-led by the opposition Congress supported by four National People’s Party (NPP) legislators, one Trinamool Congress and an Independent member on Thursday had asked Governor Najma Heptulla to convene a special Assembly session for a non-confidence motion against Chief Minister Biren Singh.

The Governor is yet to take a call on the demand of the newly formed SPF.

In the 60-member Manipur Assembly whose effective strength is 59, the strength of the ruling BJP-led government stand at 23 with the support of four Naga People’s Front and one Lok Janshakti Party.

While the Congress-led SPF has thin wafer strength of 26 members with 20 Congress members, four NPP, one Trinamool Congress and one Independent member has been formed to lead the new government in the State.

Seven Congress legislators who defected to the BJP have been restricted by the Manipur High Court to enter the Assembly premises where voting is going on. Th Shyamkumar, who was elected on Congress ticket and defected to the BJP has been already disqualified as member of the Assembly

The Manipur Assembly elections in 2017 witnessed a hung assembly, with the Congress emerging as the single largest party with 28 legislators in the house of 60. The BJP won in 21 seats.

The NPP and the NPF bagged four seats each. The Lok Janshakti Party, Trinamool Congress and an Independent candidate won one seat each.

The BJP formed the government for the first-time with the support of non-Congress parties besides Congress legislator, Th Shyamkumar Singh who defected to BJP.