In three other constituencies -- Keirao, Wabgai and

Wangkhem, where there is a sizeable Muslim population, the BJP has decided to go with candidates from the majority Meitei community.

Those left out have accused the party of being anti-Muslim and some of them even joined other parties and are contesting against BJP candidates in various seats.

The BJP state leadership, however, denied the charge that it had deprived the Muslim aspirants.

"The tickets were distributed on the basis of winnability of the candidates. We believe in 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'.

If you go through our manifesto, you will see what the BJP wants to do for Muslims in Manipur," BJP state president K Bhabananda Singh said.

Among various projects for the development of minorities, the BJP in its manifesto has promised to implement a special mission to strengthen status of livelihood of the religious minorities in Manipur.

The first ever Muslim woman to fight Assembly election in the state, Najima Bibi, is a candidate of the Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) of Irom Sharmila from Wabgai constituency.

She is in the fray despite a fatwa against her.

Her decision to join politics and contest election has kicked off a storm in her home constituency with religious leaders in Santhel Mamang Leikai publicly announcing that she will not be given a space to be buried after her death.

However, an unfazed Najima Bibi had told

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)