ADC polls : Allegations fly thick and fast ; 571 candidates file nominations
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 06 2015 : The total number of candidates filing nominations for the ensuing poll to the six ADCs has been put at 571 on the last day of filing of nominations today.

In Senapati ADC, four NPF candidates and one BJP candidate have been announced elected uncontested while in Sadar Hills one INC candidate has been declared elected unopposed.

In Chandel four INC candidates have been declared elected sans contest.

Scrutiny will be held tomorrow (May 7) .

At the same time, 111 candidates filed their nominations today in Chandel ADC.

They included 18 BJP, 22 INC, 14 NPF, 55 Ind and 2 others.

122 filed nominations in Churachandpur including 18 BJP, 7 INC, 95 Ind and 2 others.

For Sadar Hills the figure is 22 BJP, 23 INC, 8 NPF, 35 Ind and 6 others, making a total of 94 .

In Senapati, 61 filed nominations today including 18 BJP, 3 INC, 24 NPF, 16 Ind.

For Tamenglong, 85 candidates filed their nominations which included 23 BJP, 17 INC, 22 NPF, 22 Ind and 1 other.

For Ukhrul, 98 filed their nominations which included 22 BJP, 20 INC, 25 NPF, 28 Ind and 3 others.

On the other hand reports and allegations about the intervention of armed groups in the ensuing Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) elections slated for June 1 have become more vociferous.

It is pertinent to mention that Deputy CM Gaikhangam, who is also in-charge of Home, recently remarked that certain groups have imposed diktats and served threats in connection with the coming ADC polls especially to electorate of Senapati and Ukhrul districts.

For fear of facing the wrath of the groups later if not now, many people may be coerced.

Even as the Dy CM said this, three aspiring candidates of Chandel ADC �two INC candidates and one Independent, have accused the UKLF of supporting five candidates including four BJP candidates and one INC candidate in Chandel ADC in the coming poll.

The allegation has even reached the media.

The allegation was rejected, though.

The three candidates who accused the UKLF of supporting five candidates are Jilkhopao Touthang, Independent candidate of Sugnu Hill Area DCC, Limkhojam Haokip, INC candidate of Tolbung DCC and another INC candidate from Songjang DCC, Jangkhothang Mate.

They alleged that the UKLF has supported Ngamkholal Baite (INC) of Sugnu Hill Area DCC, Thongkhothang Khongsai (BJP) of Tolbung DCC, Thangsuankap Tungdim (BJP) of Sajik Tampak DCC, Seikhothang Haokip (BJP) of Songjang DCC and Ch Chanthoi Aimol (BJP) of Aimol Tampak DCC.

The UKLF has also been accused of abducting and intimidating Limkhojam Haokip.

Meanwhile, the accusation of the three candidates was flatly rejected by the five candidates today during a press meet at Hotel Tampha.

The five candidates said that the allegation that they are 'selected' and backed by the UKLF was baseless.

The five candidates questioned as to why they are not left uncontested if at all the underground group had 'selected' and backed them.

They further said that they joined the election fray as per the faith, support and confidence of the public as well as the KCA, KWHR, KSO and KPF.

The public have no confidence that Jilkhopao Touthang, Limkhojam Haokip and Jangkhothang Mate would serve the public, they said.

In another development, Jangkhothang alias Jangthang Mate, Limkhojam Haokip and Jilpao Touthang have urged the Dy CM to provide them armed security cum escort personnel due to severe personal threats issued against them by the UKLF.

In a joint representation, the three candidates said that they have been branded as 'anti-area people' by the UKLF, as reported in a bi-lingual daily on May 4 just precisely because they happen not to be their favourite or chosen candidates.

They said they were asked to give up their candidature and surrender or face dire consequence.

Under such condition, it is risky for them to move around and campaign or otherwise, the three candidates said in the representation.

Six ADCs �Chandel, Churachandpur, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul, will go to polls on June 1.Each ADC has 24 seats.

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