Leishiyo Keishing

Leishiyo Keishing is the son of Samphang Keishing and Martha Ningshen of Nambashi Horton village in Kamjong district, Manipur. He completed BE (Electrical) from Bihar University in 1999 and did post graduate in Thermal Power Plant Engineering and MBA in Human Resource Management. After completing his studies, he briefly worked as Mathematics teacher at Nambashi High School and Ukhrul Public School. From 2008-2010 he served as Assistant Manager (Electrical) for J&K "Rail Link Project" under Indian Railway Construction (IRCON). From 2010, he worked with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) as Assistant Engineer (Electrical) till 2016 when he voluntarily resigned from the job to contest in the Manipur Assembly Elections.

In an exclusive interview with AJA a Tangkhul vernacular daily, Leishiyo Keishing stated that he entered politics with the main objective to serve the people at his prime age and not after superanuation as many people opt to do. In the 11th Manipur Assembly General Elections, He contested as Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate and won the race beating his nearest rival Somi Awungshi of BJP by a huge margin of 4778 votes. Leishiyo Keishing was initially inducted as a Parliamentary Secretary in the BJP led Coliation Government of Manipur [4]until the position was scrabbed in 2018.[5] The political tide within the BJP led coalition was on a bumpy path when the NPF "In Principle"[6] decided to pull out of the coalition in the run up to the Lok Sabha Elections in May 2019. The decision was however, withdrawn after due consultations.

In 2019, he toured the remotest border villages within his constituency and pointed out that no development works were undertaken in Phungyar Assembly Constituency for the past 20 years. He also lamented at the disparity between the funds allocated for development between the valley constituencies and that of the hills. Phungyar Assembly Constituency, according to Leishiyo Keishing is larger than the whole area covered by the 40 constituencies in the valley. However, annual developmental fund allocated is a meagre 2 crore INR equivalent to the amount allocated to Singjamei AC the smallest Assembly Constituency in Manipur. Pathetic condition of the constituency in terms of road connectivity and electrification, according to Leishiyo Keishing hopefully will change with the implementation of various state and centrally sponsored programs. [7]