IMPHAL: Over 300 candidates are likely to contest in the January 28 election to the 60-seat Manipur Legislative Assembly as political activities in Manipur is heating up, with political parties busy in holding meetings for pre-poll alliance and preparing list of candidates to be fielded in the election.
A preliminary analysis prepared by the political section of the CID (Special Bureau) from security point of view shows that 306 political personalities including seating MLAs and nominees of different political parties are preparing for contesting the election with their election rally already started months back.
The analysis indicates Naga People Front (NPF) fielding to at least 11 seats of the Assembly from the Naga dominated hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel district. The analysis further indicated maximum number of contestants in no. 1 Khundrakpam Assembly constituencies in Imphal East district while a minimum of only two candidates in 17-Lamshang Assembly Constituency in Imphal West district.
The Congress who secured 29 seats in the 2007 election is projecting to contest in all the 60 seats. A source from the party office Wednesday said that over 130 intending candidates have applied for party tickets till date.
Some opposition seating MLAs were also seeking party tickets, source said. Chief minister O Ibobi Singh, who addressed at Congress foundation day celebration held Wednesday at Imphal Congress Bhavan asserted that the party was ready for pre-poll alliance with other like-minded parties. “Congress is ready for ally with like-minded parties if approach,” he said.
CPI, the ruling partner of the Congress in the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government with only three MLAs in the present Assembly, is considering to field over 20 candidates. The party has announced a list of 19 candidates today.
Announcing the list of 19 candidates, CPI state secretary, Dr M Nara Singh said that it was the first phase of party candidates. He hinted that list of other candidates would be announced before the issue of election notification, January 4 next.
BJP is working hard to declare the list of party nominees. So far, the party has confirmed a list of 12 candidates to be fielded, according to a party source.
The party is expecting to field its candidates in over 20 constituencies.
The party is also considering for joining the MPP-NCP alliance, which was formed recently with an objective of defeating the Congress in the upcoming election.
The matter of joining the opposition alliance will be finalized after BJP national spokesperson, Prakash Javedkar, who is also the election in-charge of election in Manipur hold consultation with state unit leaders, the party source hinted.
He is likely to arrive in Imphal on December 30, for discussion about the party election strategy with state unit leaders, sources added.
After the Janata Dal (United) had joined the alliance, Rashtrya Janata Dal (RJD), having three seating MLAs in the present assembly, has also announced joining the pre-poll alliance.
The party is currently extending support to the SPF government from outside. Party president while announcing the joining of the opposition alliance said that it would severe all ties with the ruling government.
For the MPP, having five MLAs in the current Assembly, none could say about the candidates to be fielded as some of the seating MLAs are seemed to remain far from the party and seeking Congress tickets.
NCP who secured four seats in the last 2007 election is projecting to field at least in 30 Assembly constituencies. So, far 11 intending candidates have applied for party tickets, a party source said. Other parties like the Trinamool Congress, National People’s Party (NPP) and others were also working out to field their candidates.
~Nagaland Post
