Imphal, April 26 2009: THE MANIPUR Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has rejected the allegations made by CPI, Manipur state and MPP that Congress had rigged the polls on April 22 in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and described the allegations as hollow since the two parties know fully well that they will certainly suffer a humiliating defeat.

Reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of MPCC Media Department, Seram Mangi in a press release asserted that there has been no instance of Congress workers involving in violation of poll norms or rigging as alleged by the CPI and MPP.

The Congress has been, it may be mentioned, accused of proxy voting in Andro, Patsoi, Khundrakpam and Thoubal ACs by the CPI and MPP.

The two parties have also lodged a complaint with the ECI.

However, as a complaint being registered with the ECI, it is left to the Commission to decide, Mangi stated while indicating his confidence on the ECI's right verdict.

It is not right to launch protest agitations and blow things out of proportion over the issue, Mangi pointed out and asserted that it is just a ploy to make an issue out of nothing.

He further stated that it is useless to take the issue in the street which, instead, should be taken to the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, reacting to the charges leveled by MPP President Dr L Chandramani that the poll rules had been violated at all polling stations in Patsoi Assembly constituency by Congress, the MPCC Vice-President AK Mirabai today said that it is to the knowledge of Election Observer and the people through local newspapers that he was involved in violating the poll norms at his home polling station, 19/1, conveyed Mangi in a press release.

Denying the charge of violation of poll norms in the constituency, Mirabai counter-alleged that poll norms have been violated in this polling station at every election which the people are dejected for that.

She said that he is just speaking hollow words to cover up his misdeeds.

She said that polling was conducted peacefully in all constituencies, the press release stated.

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