Political horse-trading on in full swing
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 08 2016:
With the Manipur Legislative Assembly election approaching fast, political horse-trading between Congress and BJP has gained a new momentum with both the parties keen to rope in political heavyweights as well as young guns who have fair chances of getting elected in the election.
Even as senior Congress leaders Y Erabot and N Biren have left the party, Congress party has been working hard to take two sitting MLAs within its fold.
Sources informed that negotiations have been initiated to bring NCP MLA L Ibomcha (Keishamthong AC) and LJP MLA Karam Shyam (Langthabal AC) within the fold of Congress party.
If Ibomcha and Shyam join Congress, the party would have 52 MLAs.
Admission of Wangoi AC MLA O Lukhoi into Congress party despite the presence of S Achouba who contested previous Assembly elections on Congress ticket and the attempts to bring L Ibomcha and K Shyam within their fold reflect Congress party’s strategy to form the next Government without fail.
BJP, on the other side, is not sitting idle even though they have only two MLAs at present. They too have been making all efforts to topple Congress Government and set up a BJP Government in the State.
The party too has been searching for the most promising candidates.
Sources informed that BJP has already made overtures to bring N Biren within their rank.
Notably, N Biren resigned from Congress party only yesterday.
In each and every Assembly segment, BJP Manipur Pradesh has been examining all the aspiring candidates in order to select candidates who can defeat their Congress rivals most of whom happen to be sitting MLAs.
BJP has been expecting entry of four/five sitting MLAs within its fold in the next few days.
Meanwhile, one key functionary of BJP Manipur Pradesh and an MLA of the party went to Delhi today to recommend retired agriculture office Ratan as BJP candidate for Khurai AC, the sources added.