Political parties welcome schedule
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 24 2011: The ruling Congress as well as the Opposition parties have welcomed the poll schedule announced by the Election Commission of India today.

The State will go to the polls on January 28 .

"We warmly welcome the schedule of the Assembly poll on January 28.There will be no change in the campaign strategy of our party as we are fully prepared for the election.

For us, there is no early or late poll schedule," said Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam today evening.

"Since the people have faith on the Congress and the party-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government, we will win absolute majority in the coming polls and the party will return to power for the third consecutive term," Gaikhangam predicted in a confident tone.

In the sixty-member Assembly, the Congress has thirty MLAs and the SPF coalition Government is in its second innings with partner CPI.

Responding to a query, Gaikhangam said it would be pre-mature for the Congress to announce any coalition structure.

"We have not discussed for any pre-poll alliance as we will field our candidates in all sixty seats and with the ECI having announced the poll date we will soon be holding a meeting to decide on ticket allotment" he added.

Like Congress, the Opposition MPP has also expressed satisfaction with 'early poll' date.

"We are ready to fight the Congress in the ensuing polls any time.

We are satisfied with with the early date," said Nimaichand Luwang, president of the oldest regional party of the State.

Stating that MPP has already struck a pre-poll pact with the NCP, Luwang said more parties are in the pipeline to join the pre-poll alliance.

"During the party's 42nd anniversary to be held on Monday in Imphal, we will formally announce the name of another like-minded party that has agreed to join the alliance.

We invite all like-minded parties to join us to take on and defeat the Congress," Luwang added.

Since the election code of conduct has been enforced, all recruitment results declared one month ahead from effecting it and within by way of back-dating by the State Government will be reviewed if the Opposition alliance comes to power, he declared.

"If any recommended candidates are found using corrptu means to gain entry, the new Government would declare their results null and void.

Though declaring recruitment results one month ahead of announcement of poll date is legally valid, there is something fishy," Luwang, also a former Minister, said.

Manipur unit BJP president Sh Shantikumar Sharma said the party would convene a meeting to chalk out poll strategy.

He said BJP is still holding talks with other like-minded parties to set up a united Opposition front and things would be sorted out soon.

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