Congress Announces Nationwide Signature Campaign, Demands Immediate Assembly Elections in Manipur
On August 28, 2025, the Indian National Congress announced a nationwide signature campaign demanding immediate assembly elections in Manipur. At a state-level rally in Imphal titled “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor,” AICC in-charge for Manipur and MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka said only a fresh mandate can restore peace. The party plans to collect 10 crore signatures between September 15 and October 15 and submit them to the President of India or the Election Commission. Congress leaders also highlighted that Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, with the assembly in suspended animation, while questioning the Prime Minister’s silence and contrasting it with visits by opposition leaders.
What Exactly Did Congress Announce?
At a rally branded “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor” in Imphal on August 28, AICC in-charge Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka told supporters that the party would spearhead a mass signature campaign seeking immediate elections. The campaign will run from September 15 to October 15, targeting 10 crore (100 million) signatures nationwide. The collected signatures, Congress says, will be handed to the President of India or the Election Commission of India (ECI)—two constitutional touchpoints that symbolize executive authority and electoral oversight.
Congress also argued that despite the ruling alliance controlling a vast majority of seats in the Manipur assembly, governance has been under central rule since February—an arrangement they contend is untenable for a state still healing from conflict. (The “55 of 60 seats” figure was framed as Ulaka’s claim from the rally, not an official ECI tally.)
FAQs
Q1. What is the exact timeline for the signature campaign?
A. Congress says the drive will run from September 15 to October 15, 2025, with a target of 10 crore signatures to be submitted to the President or the ECI.
Q2. Does a signature campaign force the Election Commission to hold polls?
A. No. Signatures don’t automatically trigger elections. The ECI sets poll dates based on security and administrative readiness. The campaign is a political pressure tool, not a legal mandate
Q3. Is Manipur’s assembly dissolved?
A. No. The assembly is in suspended animation under President’s Rule—meaning it isn’t functioning but hasn’t been dissolved. That allows, in theory, for government formation without fresh polls if a stable majority emerges.
Q4. How long can President’s Rule continue in Manipur?
A. It’s approved in six-month blocks and can be extended (with conditions) up to three years. Parliament recently extended PR from August 13, 2025, following the initial proclamation on February 13, 2025. It can also be revoked at any time.
Q5. What exactly did Congress say about seat numbers in Manipur?
A. At the rally, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka claimed BJP and allies hold 55 of 60 seats, yet the state remains under central rule. Treat that as a political claim from the event, not an official ECI seat alignment update
