Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 14:
Despite the AICC president Sonia Gandhi naming Rishang Keishing as the Congress candidate in the forthcoming biennial election to the Rajya Sabha slated for March 26, five Congress members have taken nomination papers from the Returning Officer while another three from other parties have also done the same.
On the other hand AICC observer MP JD Sellum arrived at Imphal today in connection with the upcoming election.
Though the MPP had earlier stated that it was not in the race for the RS, its member and former Minister L Jatra took the nomination papers from the Returning Officer today.
Rishang Keishing has also taken the nomination papers today.
Other than Keishing, the other Congress members who took the nomination papers are AICC member C Doungel, former Speaker Dr Maniruddin Sheikh, former Minister AS Arthur, MPCC vice president Dr Chaltonlien Amo and Md Abdul Salam.
The others are BD Behring and Waikhom Manimohan.
The intending candidates can submit their nomination papers till 3 pm tomorrow.
Scrutiny will be held on March 17 and the last date of withdrawal is March 19.With five other Congress men taking their nomination papers, despite the decision of the AICC to name Rishang Keishing, the State Congress unit is today on a somewhat sticky wicket.
Since the party is bound to take up disciplinary action against anyone who violates the directives of the AICC, it will be interesting to see who actually file their papers tomorrow, said a Congress man.
As no party can issue whip for the election to the Rajya Sabha, groupism has set in within the State Congress unit which has the potential to snowball into a major issue as well as to revive the earlier oust Ibobi campaign, opined some Congress MLAs.
Meanwhile JD Sellam who arrived on a two day visit today will meet MPCC president Gaikhangam to discuss the upcoming Rajya Sabha election.
The MP will leave tomorrow.