Congress presses ECI to disqualify NPF candidates
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 07, 2012:
The Indian National Congress has alleged the Naga People's Front (NPF) of using underground outfits in their favour and resorting to all sorts of election related crimes in the recently held Manipur State Assembly election and pressed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disqualify all NPF candidates as per the guidelines of the Election Commission.
Reports reaching Hueiyen Lanpao stated that using underground outfits and resorting to all sorts of election related violence, threatening Congress workers and also forcing the people to comply with them at gun-point are clear cases of violating the guidelines of ECI.
So, ECI should disqualify the candidates involved in such crimes as have been the cases in UP.
The source further stated that apart from the Congress, candidates of other political parties have also complained to the ECI in this regard.
The candidates of other political parties who are in stiff competition with the NPF candidates in Karong, Mao and Tadubi constituencies in Senapati district, Chingai and Phungyar constituencies in Ukhrul district and Nungba constituency in Tamenglong district have also complained to the ECI asking for disqualification of NPF candidates.
The INC has also complained to the Union Home Ministry over the involvement of NSCN-IM cadres in various election related violence unleashed in favour of NPF candidates.
The Union Home Ministry has, in return, advised the Election Commission to take up necessary steps in this regard.
An official of the Election office, on condition of anonymity, said that it was not advisable to speak on the sensitive but important issue and suggested that it will be more appropriate if the issue is highlighted by the CEO, PC Lawmkunga himself.
But the CEO was not available for talks till late in the evening.
As such, the matter could not be confirmed officially.