The boundary dispute with Nagaland is a major issue in Manipur. Many in the political circle say the boundary question is closer to the voter`s heart than any other issue. The Meitei community is firmly against the integration of Naga-dominated areas of Manipur with Nagaland.

The jumping into fray of the Naga People`s Front (NPF) - the party in power in the neighbouring Nagaland state - has shifted the focus of poll battle to the territorial issue. The party is fielding 12 candidates, mostly in the Naga-dominated constituencies (11), and is expected to win three-four of these seats. In the last elections in 2007, six independents backed by the United Naga Council (UNC) – Manipur’s apex Naga body - had won. And this time around, the UNC support has gone to the NPF.

The UNC’s main poll plank is the integration of the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur with Nagaland. The Naga-dominated constituencies come under the four hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel. The NPF chief, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu, has already played on the ‘emotional quotient’ of the issue factor by dubbing the elections as a referendum on whether Nagas want to decisively exhibit their unity.

The ruling Congress, on the other hand, has also played the boundary card well. It had managed to convince the electorate in the last two elections that only it could protect the state’s territorial integrity. And this is why the Chief Minister prevented National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) [NSCN (IM)] leader Thuingaleng Muivah from visiting his birthplace, Somdal in Ukhrul district of Manipur, in 2010, on the pretext the visit would create law and order problem and trigger ethnic tensions.