Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 21:
A four member assessment committee has been formed to study the feasibility of uniting all the regional political parties ahead of the im�pending 8th State Assembly elections.
The assessment team was formed during a meeting of all ex-MLAs held at the quarters of former Deputy Chief Minister Dr L Chandramani Singh at Lamphel today.
The committee members consist of L Tomba of Thoubal AC, M Kunjo of Hiyanglam AC, M Kumar of Sagolband AC, and Dr W Thoiba of Heingang AC.
Speaking to The Sangai Express Dr L Chandramani said the assessment committee has been formed as it would be against the interest of the people to float myriad regional parties.
The committee would explore all the possible avenues of bringing the existing regional political parties under one platform, he added.
The committee would also explore options if uniting the different regional parties fails to fructify.
The report of the assessment committee would be discussed in another meeting of the ex-MLAs slated to be held one week later.
Meanwhile the Nationalist Congress Party is set to field candidates in at least 40 of the 60 Assembly constituencies when the State goes to poll to elect the next Assembly, which is likely to be held in early March next year.
Speaking to newsmen today NCP State unit president S Tiken said that the party was able to send up candidates in 42 AC in the last Assembly election.
Of the five MLAs elected on the party's ticket three have joined other parties while two are still with the NCP, he added.
Tiken informed that prospective candidates would be screened .by a committee and added that only promising and sincere people with commitment will be given the party's ticket.
Prospective women candidates will be given due consideration.