Sociologist vies for top post

Imphal, June 22: A young sociologist from Manipur with a doctoral degree is gearing up to join the race for the country's top post and trying to garner support from MPs for proposing and seconding his candidature.

Ibochouba Singh Konthoujam, a resident of Ningthoukhong, a small town in Bishnupur district, has collected a nomination form.

"I took the form from Parliament House on June 20 and I will file the nomination paper on June 28. I am ready to contest for the presidential post," Ibochouba told The Telegraph today.

Ibocouba received a doctoral degree after completing post-graduation in sociology . He also got training in various fields, including financial management, accounting, business development planning and forest management, from various institutions in Calcutta, Guwahati, Delhi and Imphal.

The 42-year-old, who claimed to be a social activist, is married and has three sons. His wife is a home-maker.

Ibochouba now runs a private school, D-Cacus-Education Centre, in his home town of Ningthoukhong. He sought support from MPs and members of state Assemblies by sending out appeals on social media.

"I was thinking of contesting for the post of President for some time. I have decided that I should contest this time," he said as he intends to accelerate the "process of human resource development, pace of economic growth and restructure the administrative system.

"I also want to seriously focus on education, health and empowerment of the youth. I have been working in the social sector and I don't have any political affiliation. I am not a politician. I grew up in a poor family and I wish to work for the poor and neglected," Ibochouba said.

The news of his decision to contest the presidential election has been received with disbelief. However, Ibochouba seems to have support from his locality.

"We were surprised when we heard that he had taken the nomination form. He is a hardworking person. But getting 100 MPs to propose, second and support his candidature is not an easy task. Being a candidate for the election for the country's President is not a joke," a resident of Ningthoukhong said.

Ibochouba uploaded an appeal on his Facebook wall, seeking support to his candidature. Many shared his post and wished him luck.

Ibochouba said he would lobby for the support of MPs from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, besides his home state.No political party in Manipur took Ibochouba seriously. In fact they expressed surprise at the news.