MPCC yet to finalise candidates

Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, March 8 : Even though the Opposition parties have announced their candidates for the forthcoming 15th Lok Sabha polls, ruling Congress party is yet to name their candidates.

Manipur will go to polls on April 16 and 22 to elect two MPs from inner and outer Manipur parliamentary constituencies. Dr Thokchom Meinya Singh and Mani Charenamei are the sitting MPs in the Lok Sabha.

The State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (I) President Gaikhangam Gangmei who had rushed to the National capital to get clearance of their party candidates – both for inner and outer Manipur parliamentary constituencies, returned on Friday.

However, they are yet to announce the names of their party candidates. Present Lok Sabha MP Dr Thokchom Meinya was among the ticket seekers for the inner parliamentary segment. Sources here said young Congressman and sitting MLA Irengbam Hemochandra of Singjamei AC in Imphal was also reportedly lobbying for the Congress ticket.

On the other hand, former ministers R K Thekho, Dr Charltonlien Amo and Thansi Baite are also seeking Congress tickets for the outer Manipur parliamentary constituency .

Opposition parties Manipur people’s Party, the Nationalist Congress Party, National People Party and Manipur State Congress Party alliance had recently named Prof N Mohendro of MPP as common candidate for inner parliamentary seat while L B Sona of NCP for outer parliamentary seat.

Similarly, BJP had announced that they will field former state Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh as the party candidate in the inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency .

BJP in the meantime has trained its gun towards the alliance and termed the alliance as ‘Unholy.’ The media cell convener of the party L Basanta said that the alliance formed by the four parties is nothing but an alliance that can be easily restructured at will. He said the BJP is unfazed by the presence of the alliance.

But MPP has welcomed the decision of the four like-minded political parties which have decided to join hands in the coming Lok Sabha elections while also accepting the decision to have a common candidate each in the inner and outer Manipur parliamentary constituencies.

The election control room has been opened at room no. 183 of Old Secretariat Building for smooth conduct of the polls.