IMPHAL, Feb 22 (Newmai News Network): The strength of the Manipur Legislative Assembly has come down to 58 following the demise of Vungzagin Valte on February 20. The House has a sanctioned strength of 60 members.

Vungzagin Valte, who represented the Thanlon Assembly Constituency in Churachandpur district, was elected on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. He had been undergoing treatment after sustaining severe injuries in an attack by a mob in Imphal on May 4, 2023. He did not recover from those injuries.

Earlier, the Assembly had lost another member, N. Kaysii, who was elected from Tadubi Assembly Constituency in Senapati district on a Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) ticket. He passed away on January 18, 2025 after a prolonged illness. A by-election to the Tadubi seat is due, but no poll has been held so far.

The present term of the Manipur Legislative Assembly is scheduled to conclude in early 2027, with the next general election expected around that period.

Meanwhile, political parties and aspiring candidates have begun informal consultations ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls. Initial groundwork and quiet outreach have started in certain areas, and political activity is likely to gather pace in the coming months.