Imphal: The People’s Reformation Party (PRP), a newly registered political party in Manipur, was formally launched in Imphal on Thursday, announcing plans to contest the 2027 Assembly election with a focus on peace, public order, youth participation and what it described as local solutions to the state’s challenges.
The party was launched during a ceremony and press interaction at Sangai Hall, Imphal Hotel, in the presence of PRP president Andy Mangsatabam, vice-president T Bijoykumar Singh, general secretary Rajkumar Athoiba, party members and well-wishers.
Addressing the gathering, Mangsatabam described the PRP as a political party rooted in Manipur and said it would seek to remain accountable to the people of the state.
He said the party was formed against the backdrop of Manipur’s prolonged crisis and argued that addressing the state’s problems would require more than a change of political leadership.
According to Mangsatabam, the party applied for registration with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 2024 under registration number 56/149/2024/PPS-I and received approval on August 10, 2026.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, currently lists the People’s Reformation Party among the state’s registered unrecognised political parties.
The party has announced its intention to field candidates in the 2027 Assembly election. Mangsatabam said the PRP would conduct a “due diligence” and suitability process before selecting candidates, with the stated aim of ensuring that nominees meet its standards of integrity, suitability and responsibility.
“For the 2027 elections, we have decided to contest all 40 constituencies in the valley areas. However, expansion into the hill districts is not practical at the moment given the current prevailing political situation and movement restrictions in the state,” Mangsatabam said.
He also said the party intended to contest the election without what he described as conventional forms of corruption.
The PRP’s manifesto contains 13 core commitments, according to the party. These include peace, public order, territorial integrity and a “gun-free Manipur”.
The manifesto also outlines measures concerning internally displaced persons (IDPs), constitutional safeguards, fair representation and updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census in the state.
On the environment, the party has proposed strengthening environmental governance and community participation to protect and restore natural resources.
Mangsatabam said the party was not claiming that the formation of a new political party alone could transform Manipur. Instead, he said the PRP sought to provide a political platform focused on the state’s specific challenges and on improving public life.
The launch comes ahead of the 2027 Manipur Assembly election, with the party inviting eligible voters to join its political platform and participate in its activities.