Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 14:
Even though the Congress party is yet to name its candidate for the forthcoming Konthoujam Assembly Constituency by-election ruling SPF coalition has resolved to sponsor a Congress nominee as the consensus candidate in the by poll.
A decision to this effect was taken during the SPF steering committee meeting presided by the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at 10 am today, according to CM Secretariat sources.
Ruling partner CPI was represented by Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat, party's Control Committee chairman M Ibohal Singh and State Secretary M Sharma.
The source informed that the Chief Minister raised the point that the former MLA of the said constituency Dr M Meinya Singh was a Congress MLA and prevailed upon the CPI partner to accept the Congress nominee as the consensus choice.
Subsequently the CPI endorsed the CM's contention and resolved to support the Congress nominee as the common candidate of the ruling front.
Mention may be made here that the Konthoujam AC fell vacant after its sitting MLA Dr Meinya was elected to the Lok Sabha.
Meinya was previously elected from this AC as a DRPP candidate and later joined the Congress.
The meeting attended by Congress leaders including Phungzathang Tonsing, Gaikhangam, Th Debendra and Abdul Salam also resolved to chart out the necessary strategies to ensure the success of its candidate.
It may be reminded that AICC Secretary Imran Kidwai, who is in charge of the party's North East affair is currently in Imphal to oversee the selection of the Congress nominee for the October 13 by-poll.
The Congress is presently besieged by internal squabble and four persons are reported to have applied for the party's ticket in the poll.
Differences of opinion also exists among members of the CPI Local Council as some contends that CPI and Congress nominees should have friendly contest as witnessed in the last Lok Sabha poll.