Imphal, October 29 2008: BJP State unit president Dr Haobam Borbabu has stated that though the Central leaders of the BJP are discussing the issue of allowing MPP to fight in the upcoming Lok Sabha election as a partner of the NDA and seat adjustment between the MPP and in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, nothing definite has been finalised so far.

On the other hand, seeing the possibility of clubbing together the Lok Sabha election and the by-election to Moirang Assembly Constituency which has been left vacant after the demise of its sitting MLA Mairembam Manindra, various political parties have stepped up their preparation.

Talking to The Sangai Express, BJP State Unit president Dr Borbabu informed that though there has been an agreement in principle in allowing MPP to become a partner of the NDA and form alliance with BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, no formal decision has been announced in this regard.

In Manipur, BJP and JD (U) are already there as NDA partners.

With inclusion of MPP, there would be three political parties of NDA partners in the State, Borbabu said.

Central leaders of BJP have been studying the possibility of forming alliance with MPP and fielding a common candidate for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency to defeat the Congress party in the Lok Sabha election.

However, from its side, the State unit has already made known to the Central leaders including the National president of BJP Rajnath during a meeting at New Delhi on October 19 that it would field its candidates for both the seats and so it would not be able to sacrifice the seat of the Inner Parliamentary Constituency.

Along with taking serious note of the stand of the State Unit, the Central leaders are also discussing the matter with all the seriousness it deserves, Borbabu added.

When contacted MPP president Dr L Chandramani also said though MPP has been allowed to become a partner of the NDA, an official letter from NDA Chairman LK Advani is still awaited.

After receiving the official letter, a decision on the common candidate would be adopted, Dr Chandramani said.

On the other hand, seeing the possibility of holding the by-election to Moirang Assembly Constituency which has been necessitated following the demise of its sitting MLA Mairembam Manindra along with Lok Sabha election, political parties in the State have stepped up their activities.

With the main objective of defeating the candidate of the Congress party, BJP has expressed its aspiration of forming alliance and fielding a common candidate of the CPI, MPP and BJP.

In case of failure in deciding over a common candidate, BJP would definitely field its own candidate in the by-election, Borbabu informed.

Dr Chandramani has also stated that MPP would be fielding its own candidate in the by-election.

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