Cong MP from Manipur, Meinya grew older by 11 years in 5 years

Strange as it may sound, but sitting Congress MP from Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency Thokchom Meinya grew older by 11 years in the past five years.

According to the affidavit filed by him with the Election Commission (EC) for the upcoming polls on April 17, Meinya, who is seeking a third consecutive term as MP from the seat, declared his age to be 69 years.

Interestingly, in his declaration to the EC for the 2009 general elections, he had submitted his age to be 58 years, which means the Congress leader has grown older by 11 years between 2009 and 2014.

A resident of Joypurkhul Khumbong in Imphal West District, Meinya's date of birth, however, is listed as October 12, 1945, on Lok Sabha website's member profile.

When contacted, Meinya told PTI, "My date of birth is what is there in the Lok Sabha records. There was a clerical error while enlisting for the 2009 electoral rolls on the basis of which the nomination was filed then."

According to his affidavit, Meinya's assets have also increased manifold between 2009 and 2014.

This year, the gross value of his movable assets stood at Rs 15.3 lakh, including bank deposits although he no longer owns any vehicle as against in 2009, when the value of his movable assets were at Rs 3.7 lakh, besides a Bajaj Super scooter and a Maruti Suzuki Baleno car he once owned.

Meinya's immovable assets, including agricultural and non- agricultural land and residence have a market value of Rs 14.1 lakh, according to his 2014 disclosures.

In 2009, his immovable assets had a total value of Rs 7.7 lakh.

A doctorate from Osmania University, Meinya is up against seven candidates, including BJP's R K Rajan Singh, Sarangthem Manaobi of Trinamool Congress and Moirangthem Nara of CPI.