Two sure to get Congress tickets for by poll to 2 ACs ; Three apply for two BJP tickets
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2015 : Whereas two intending candidates have submitted application forms to the MPCC till today for nomination as Congress candidates for the by-election to Thangmeiband and Thongju A/ Cs scheduled on November21, only one has applied for the BJP ticket in Thangmeiband.

However, two intending candidates have applied for the lone BJP ticket in Thongju A/C.The two intending candidates who have so far applied for Congress tickets are MPCC secretary Jyotin Waikhom in Thangmeiband A/C and ex-Minister Bijoy Koijam in Thongju A/C.It has been already notified that intending candidates may apply for Congress tickets till 12 noon tomorrow.

A meeting of MPCC ticket committee would be held at 4 pm tomorrow at Congress Bhavan with Chief Minister O Ibobi.

According to information, no other individual is expected to apply for Congress tickets.

As such, Bijoy Koijam and Jyotin Waikhom are most likely to get Congress tickets.

On the other hand, BJP which is expected to be the most formidable rival to the ruling Congress party in the by-election is facing a dilemma as three people have applied for the two party tickets.

Till the last hour of filing application forms which expired today, only Joykishan applied for BJP ticket in TTiangmeiband A/C.However in Thongju A/C, former Speaker and BJP State executive member Dr Sapam Dhananjoy and former MLA Thongam Bishwajit applied for the lone BJP ticket.

A meeting of the State BJP election committee was held this afternoon and the committee is likely to give the party ticket to Thongam Bishwajit.

Thongju BJP Mandal has already recommended Bishwajit for the party ticket.

As such, hectic negotiations are on to persuade Dhananjoy to withdraw his application form, according to information received by the press.

In case, Dhananjoy refuses to yield, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba will head for Delhi tomorrow to consult the party's central election committee on who should be given the party ticket.

Notably, Dhananjoy rejected the party's suggestion not to submit his application form earlier today.

Meanwhile, Thangmeiband Mandal committee held a meet-ing today and resolved to support Joykishan.

The meeting held at the residence of ex-MLA M Bhorot was attended by party president Th Chaoba, vice-president I Mangiton, ex-Minister Salam Ibohal and Joykishan himself.

Speaking at the gathering, Chaoba appealed to all BJP workers and supporters to put in maximum efforts in order to ensure victory of Joykishan.

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