Imphal, September 12: Even as the Opposition parties have unanimously agreed to field an MPP candidate as their consensus man for the Konthoujam by election on October 13, Congress leader in charge of North East Imran Kidwai arrived at Imphal today to study the rumblings within the Congress party as well as to chalk out things for the upcoming by polls.

Kidwai is here on a four day visit.

The Opposition parties are however yet to officially announce the name of the consensus candidate.

The decision to field an MPP nominee as the Opposition's consensus candidate was taken during a meeting of the All Political Parties Forum of the DPA at the official residence of MPP MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang at Babupara today.

The meeting started from 4 pm.

Presided by former Chief Minister and president of the MNC W Nipamacha, presidents of all the seven political parties of the Opposition attended the meeting.

Though the Opposition had decided to back the MPP nominee as its consensus candidate during a meeting held four days back, a final decision could not be taken as the State unit president of the BJP Th Chaoba and other leaders were away at New Delhi.

The notification for the October 13 by election will be issued on September 15.The last date for filing nomination papers by the candidate is September 22 while the last date for withdrawing nomination papers is September 25.Konthoujam AC has a total of 28 polling stations while the number of electorates is 23,080.Women voters account for 11,970 while the number of male voters has been put at 11,110.With the Opposition parties unanimously deciding to back the MPP nominee as the consensus candidate, the party has been entrusted with the task of charting out the major strategies to ensure the victory of the Opposition candidate.

Today's meeting also discussed the strategies likely to be adopted by the Opposition.

Later speaking to The Sangai Express after the meeting, MPP president O Joy said that intending candidates may submit their names to the party before 10 am of September 14.The MPP Ticket Committee will hold a meeting on September 14 at 10 am and choose the candidate, informed Joy.

On the same day at 2 pm, the name of the consensus candidate will be officially announced to the media, said the MPP president.

According to sources, the MPP is most likely to name Konthoujam Ranbir as the consensus candidate as he has the full backing of the Working Committee of the party.

Ranbir had also contested the last Assembly election when he polled 2499 votes to be placed at the 5th position.

On the other hand the Congress has also started the process of choosing its candidate with the arrival of Kidwai today.

So far four intending candidates have sought the party's ticket.

Kidwai will also study the rumblings within the Congress party, said sources.

During his four stay here Kidwai will meet the CLP, party office bearers, district presidents and members of frontal organizations of the Congress.

The issue of choosing the party's candidate will be discussed thoroughly during the meetings with the local leaders.

Kidwai will also submit a report to the AICC high command on the voice of dissent that has begun to rock the Congress from within.

The other constituent party of the SPF, the CPI is on the other hand yet to decide whether to field a candidate or not.

Though the Konthoujam local council of the party had recommended a candidate's name for the1 by poll, the executive committee of the party could not take a definite decision during its meeting held yesterday.

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