Report on asking Sharmila to join Congress party : Ibobi sets record straight, says No
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 21 2014 :
Chief Minister O Ibobi has clarified that he never asked Irom Sharmila to join Congress party with or without any proposal to work collectively against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Ibobi was a part of the team of Thangso Baite, INC candidate in Outer Manipur P/C who came to file his nomination paper today and he made this clarification in response to a query raised by some media persons.
Categorically refilling the report he once asked Sharmila to join Congress party, Ibobi stated that he never talked about politics with Sharmila "Forget about Sharmila, I never asked my wife or Chil dren to join Congress party even though I'm a staunch supporter of the party.
They should be allowed to join party/parties of their own choice", Ibobi Hinted.
Nonetheless, the Chief Minister admitted that he once asked Sharmila to work collectively towards further improvement of the State's law and order situation so that AFSPA can be repealed from more areas of Manipur.
On being questioned who would be main rivals of Congress candidates in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, Ibobi said, "I'm not sure as yet for the process of filing nomination papers is not over.
"Yet, we believe our candidates would emerge victorious", he added.
On being asked about the authenticity of the report that MSCP is set to merge with INC, Ibobi maintained that he has no definite information on the report.