MPCC chief confident of scoring magic number
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10, 2012:
Despite the combined stand put up by the Opposition through the formation of the PDF and rebels' threats, the ruling Congress is confident of securing the needed number to form the next Government for the third consecutive term.
Congress fielded its candidates in all 60 seats in the 10th Assembly election amid a ban imposed on it by 'CorCom' a conglomerate of seven underground outfits.
"We will comfortably get the required number to form the next Government.
This means we will win absolute majority," Pradesh Congress committee president and senior legislator of the party, Gaikhangam told reporters on Friday afternoon.
"Though we cannot say the exact number we will win in the valley, it is sure that we will score over ten out of twenty in the hills.
Had there been no threat and poll malpractice by the NSCN (IM) in the hills, our score would have been higher," the PCC president who contested from Nungba Constituency in Tamenglong district, said.
Gaikhangam expressed dissatisfaction over the inaction of the security forces to thwart the massive booth rigging in the hills allegedly by NSCN (IM) cadres and miscreants during the polls held on January 28. It is unfortunate that the Naga rebel outfit, which is currently holding peace talk with the Centre, came out and supported the Naga People's Front (NPF) candidates and indulged in massive poll malpractice, he asserted.
"The security arrangement particularly in the hills was good only on paper but at the ground it was not satisfactory .
We nonetheless withstood all kinds of threats and violent attacks from the underground cadres and fought the election and the people power too pushed back such intimidations," Gaikhangam.
To a question on what the Congress would do if it fails to win the needed number on its own, the PCC chief said it was too early to comment on post-poll alliance but things would be sorted out after the results are declared.
Gaikhangam , nevertheless said "SPF has not been dissolved," indicating that the pact with the CPI is still intact.
To another poser, he said Congress legislature wing leader would be decided by the newly elected legislators and it would be premature to speak on the issue now.