Imphal, April 28 2010: With the announcement of the schedules for first phase of the election to the Autonomous District Councils, political parties have started hectic preparations to finalise the their respective candidates to contest in the election.

While Indian National Congress, which is the major partner of the ruling SPF Government, is set to contest in all the seats of the District Councils of Sadar Hills, Chandel and Churachandpur, which would go to poll in the first phase, CPI, another partner of the Government is likely to put up its candidates only in the Churachandpur District Council.

According to party sources, the final list of the candidates of Indian National Congress would be announced after a meeting of its Pradesh Election Authority when Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh returns from Delhi.

The Chief Minister is expected to return here tomorrow.

On the other hand, CPI, which is partner of the Congress led SPF Government is likely to contest for the seats of the Churachandpur District Council only and stay away from the election in the other two District Councils.

In this regard, State secretary of the party L Iboyaima has informed that whether the party would field its candidates in all the seats of the Churachandpur District Council or not would be decided in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, RJD, which is supporting the SPF Government, is preparing to contest in 30 seats in the first phase of the District Council elections.

Information received from the party said that RJD may contest in 10 seats of Churachandpur District Council and 18 seats of Chandel District Council while 2 seats in Sadar Hills District Council.

The names of the party candidates would be announced after a meeting of the State Parliamentary Board of the State Unit RJD at 11 am on April 30 .

Discussions are also going on for the opposition party, NCP to field its candidates in 50 to 60 seats of the total 72 seats in the three District Councils which would go to poll in the first phase.

As for BJP, the party has not been able to take a definite decision on whether candidates would be fielded or not in the election.

In oppose of the election, the hill-based regional party, PDA may not be contesting, sources added.