Imphal, March 15: Reacting to the manner of selecting candidature for the Rajya Sabha election by the Congress party, CPI, partner of Congress in the SPF Government, has made known its displeasure stating that it would take a definite decision on the matter after the scrutiny.

Talking to mediapersons in this connection at Irabot Bhavan here today, spokesperson of the left party Dr Moirangthem Nara Singh asserted that the manner of selecting its MP candidature by the Congress is not democratic and the relationship between the two parties may be affected as a result of this.

Clarifying that CPI has not taken any stand as such to field its own candidate in the election, Dr Nara, however, disclosed that it had earlier discussed and decided to support a Muslim candidate in the interest of the minorities.

On top of the failure of convening the meeting of the Steering Committee of SPF for the last 1/2 years apart from other necessary meetings to discuss various important issues from time to time like the present situation in the State, the Common Minimum Programme, the issue related to the election to the Rajya Sabha seat had not been deliberated at all, Dr Nara, who is also the secretary of the Steering Committee of the SPF said.

While maintaining that the decision of the Cabinet needs to reflect the decision of the Steering Committee, the CPI spokesperson contended that selection of a candidate of its own by the Congress for the Rajya Sabha election by sidelining all other important matters is undemocratic.

CPI is not against the candidature of the Congress but against party principle of Congress, Dr Nara clarified.

CPI would not remain quite and we will wait till March 17, the day of the scrutiny, he said.

After the scrutiny, an executive committee meeting of the party would be held to discuss the matter for taking a definite decision, Dr Nara disclosed.

If the functioning of the Steering Committee remains as it is now, then a time would be come when the two coalition partners (Congress and CPI) would not be possible to work together, he warned.

It may be recalled here that along with approval of his candidature by the AICC, former MP Rishang Keishing has submitted his nomination paper for the election.

State secretary of the CPI Sarat Salam who was also present during the press conference said that CPI is always in favour of keeping alive the coalition culture but the manner of Congress has disappointed the party.

Sarat also strongly criticised the move being made for expansion of the Airport and the Manipur University.

He said CPI is not oppose to development.

However, if such development work is at the cost of the people, then it would oppose it, he said, adding that CPI would never approve taking over of the agricultural land in particular.

Instead of using force, the State Government can review such developmental works in the interest of the people, Sarat suggested.

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