Consensus on a candidate for the lone Rajya Sabha seat continued to elude the Manipur Congress unit till Thursday evening.

The last day for filing nominations is Friday.

According to sources, marathon meetings have been going on for several days to find a consensus candidate. Manipur PCC president Moirangthem Okendro said the candidate would be finalised on Friday.

However, top leaders, including former chief minister and leader of the Opposition Okram Ibobi Singh, Nungba legislator Gaikhangam and others, who had huddled at Congress Bhawan for hours on Thursday, failed to announce a name till the filing of this report. Sources said the name of former Thanga legislator Tongbram Mangibabu was discussed at the meeting.

PCC spokesperson M. Prithviraj Singh said the candidate would be announced by 11am on Friday.

Earlier, PCC leaders Poonam Rani Wangkhem and Ningombam Bhupendra Singh had obtained nomination forms from the returning officer and Assembly secretary, M. Ramani Devi.

The ruling BJP has nominated Manipur’s titular king, Leishemba Sanajaoba.