Former Manipur BJP president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Manipur on Thursday, June 11, after no other candidate remained in the fray following the withdrawal of nomination papers, the Returning Officer-cum-Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly declared when the withdrawal deadline closed. Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and several BJP legislators were present during the official declaration.
The Rajya Sabha contest was held to fill the single seat whose vacancy arises on completion of the term of sitting BJP member Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, whose tenure is scheduled to end on June 21. With no opponent remaining after nominations were withdrawn, Sharda Devi was formally returned as the state’s lone member in the Upper House.
The political arithmetic in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly offers context: the BJP holds 36 seats, the National People’s Party (NPP) has six MLAs, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and Congress have five each, the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) has two, and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has one, alongside independent legislators.
Speaking to reporters at the Manipur BJP office in Imphal after her election, Sharda Devi said her priorities in the Rajya Sabha would include development issues affecting women and strengthening women’s empowerment. “As a woman myself, my priorities would be development-related issues concerning women and strengthening their empowerment,” she said.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand congratulated Sharda Devi in a post on X, saying her administrative and political experience would contribute to women’s empowerment, inclusive development and good governance. The Manipur BJP also hailed her nomination and election as recognition of her years of service to the party and the people of the state.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/former-manipur-bjp-president-adhikarimayum-sharda-devi-elected-unopposed-to-rajya-sabha-1406666-2026-06-11?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-06-11 22:45:00
