Filing nomination allow for Knothoujam bye-poll, opposition continue to find strategy to defeat Congress
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 21, 2011:
Returning officer today issued notification allowing filing of nomination papers for candidatures to the Konthoujam bye-election issued Friday even as electioneering of the political parties has started.
As per notification issued by the RO 18-Konthoujam Assembly Constituency, nomination papers may be delivered by a candidate or by any of his/her proper to the RO or to the sub-deputy collectors/assistant RO of the constituency at the office of the SDO, Patsoi attached to the Imphal West DC office, Lamphel between 11 am and 3 am on any day (other than public holiday) not later than January 28 (Friday).
Nomination form can also be obtained from the said office during the office hour the notification said adding that scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on January 29 at 11 am.
The last date of withdrawal of candidature is January 31, 3 pm for the polling scheduled on February 14 (Monday).
Meanwhile, The Manipur People Party has decided to support Konthoujam Sharat who will be contesting as official nominee of the Trinomool Congress in the Konthoujam bye-election scheduled on February 14. The decision to extend support to Trinamool Congress candidate was taken in a meeting of the working committee of the party, party president Dr Nimaichand Luwang said.
Nimaichand said that the meeting of the working committee held at 1 pm today took the decision after a thorough deliberation on the matter of defeating Congress candidate in the fray and appraisal of the Trinamool Congress's president to MPP for the support to its candidate.
Intending candidate, Sharat himself also personally come and requested for MPP support, he said.
Besides, MPP wanted to find a way for pre-poll for the upcoming general election to the state Assembly which is expected in the early part of 2012 and Konthoujam bye-election will make a way to party's strategy in this regard, the president believes.
The MPP working committee meeting further resolved to hold party conference on February 26, he added.
The BJP Manipur Pradesh has also taken a firm decision to extend support to Trinamool Congress candidate, Konthoujam Sharat so as to defeat Congress candidate in the fray.
The same will be declared after a meeting is held on January 31, party president, Sh Shantikumar said.
On the other hand, Janata Dal (United), Manipur state unit has taken a decision not to field party candidate in the bye-election but to support to a candidate of like-minded party.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the party held recently, said L Lenin, general secretary, JD (U), state unit.
The Trinamool Congress has also, in a statement issued today" said that the party is ready for a pre-poll alliance with other like-minded party making a clarification that even though the party is an ally of the Congress at the Centre, there is no definite rule that the same will be in valid in the state.
The party supremo, Mamta Benerjee and national leaders have earlier informed that they will not interfere in the affairs of the state unit of the party, the statement said.
The statement also pointed out that there were many flaw in the policy matter of the Congress led Secular Progressive government in the state.
Before the implementation of sixth pay, prices of the goods had already been sky rocketed in the state.
This has added a burden to the low income groups and general masses.
Considering the prevailing law and order situation and woes of the people, Trinamool Congress has resolved to work tirelessly to bring a change in the state, the statement added.