Consensus candidates getting out of non-Cong alliance
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 16 2013 :
Even though the alliance of non-Congress parties in the State is keen to face the Indian National Congress (INC) in the coming Lok Sabha Election by fielding candidates in both Lok Sabha seats of the State, the question of consensus candidates is becoming a dissenting issue in the alliance with the decision of some constituent national parties to set up their own candidates.
President of Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress (MPTC) Kim Gangte, who is presently in New Delhi, told Hueiyen Lanpao that the MPTC has seven MLAs and so it has to field both candidates in the coming Lok Sabha polls as per the directive of party chief Mamta Banerjee.
Kim Gangte herself will be the candidate for Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency while the candidate for Inner Manipur would be finalized after a meeting with the party members, she said.
The MPTC President further maintained that the non-Congress parties should join hands to challenge the INC and address the myriad issues of the State.
President of Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) said that the party would not field any candidate in the Lok Sabha Election, but the members including its five MLAs would take a decision soon on whether to support the Congress or any other non-Congress party in the election.
On the other hand, Communist Party of India (CPI), Manipur State Council is prepared to set up its Secretary Dr M Nara from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
The party desires Dr Nara to be the consensus candidates for the non-Congress parties.
However, other constituent parties do not agree with his candidature.
BJP, Manipur Pradesh has also decided to field candidates in both Lok Sabha seats.
Prof Gangmumei has started to campaign as BJP's candidate in Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, but the candidate for Inner Manipur Constituency is yet to be finalized.
As of now, Manipur People's Party (MPP) has not come up with any decision to field its own candidates in the Lok Sabha polls.
The party is actively involved in trying to figure out the consensus candidates for the non-Congress alliance.
Other constituent parties namely Janta Dal (United), CPI (M) and BSP have not taken any decision about fielding their own candidates, but they are prepared to support the consensus candidates.
Considering the political development of national parties like BJP, Trinamool Congress and CPI getting geared up to field their own candidates in the coming Lok Sabha Election, the consensus candidates seem to be getting out of the non-Congress alliance.
Meanwhile, leaders of some political parties held a meeting at the office of BJP Manipur Pradesh at Nityaipat Chuthek.
The leaders would be leaving for New Delhi tomorrow.