MPCC chief hints at final Cong list on Jan 5-6
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 30 2011:
Declaring that consent of the All India Congress Committee high command is a necessity in the allotment of Congress tickets to MLAs of non-Congress party political organisations, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam indicated that Congress candidates might be finalised on January 5 or 6 .
Interacting with some newspersons at Congress Bhavan here today, the MPCC chief said party tickets to MLAs from other political organisations would be a possibility only with the approval of the party's Central leaders.
Pointing out that as per Congress party norms only those individuals who had been a member for no less than three consecutive years could be provided party ticket to contest elections, he nevertheless explained that such a rule can be relaxed if there is approval of the high command.
Confiding that he is not aware of any MLAs from the Opposition parties applying for Congress tickets till date, Gaikhangam said a total of 166 individuals have so far collected nomination form to contest the forthcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election as Congress candidates.
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stating that the individuals would be trimmed down to potential winners by the election committee of the MPCC in its January 2 meeting, he said list of the short-listed candidates would be sent to the AICC for its final approval.
Expecting early clearance to the list by the party's high command, Gaikhangam said Congress nominees for all the 60 Assembly seats can be officially declared by January 5 or 6 .
He also asserted that selection of the candidates would be based on their potential to emerge victorious as well as after due assessment of the individual's commitment and loyalty to the Congress organisation along with top priority on seniority and integrity.
exuding confidence that the Congress will achieve absolute majority on its own, the State Congress chief also opined that party candidates will be successful in 30 Assembly segments in the valley districts while from the hills there would be not less than 10 winners.
Further informing that there would be friendly contest in some seats with the SPF coalition partner CPI, he also observed that due to absence of a strong Opposition party in the State some Opposition parties have recently formed an alliance to take on the Congress.
Dubbing such alliance as opportunistic politics, Gaikhangam also speculated that the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election might witness several independent winners.
Reacting to recent declaration by the United Naga Council to prohibit election campaigns of the Congress party in Naga-dominated hill areas and pledging support to the Naga People's Front (NPF), he expressed that the ban not only testify that the NPF is weak but is also reluctant to test might of the Congress in the political battle.
It is also informed that a meeting held today at the Chief Minister's bungalow chalked out election strategies of the Congress party.
Besides the Chief Minister, the said meeting was also attended by Gaikhangam and senior party leader Phungzathang Tonsing.