MPP decides to back BJP candidates in LS poll
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 22 2014 : The MPP has decided to support BJP candidates in both Outer Manipur P/C and Inner Manipur P/C rather than putting up candidates of their own.

MPP president N Sovakiran made this announcement during a press meet at MPP conference hall today where BJP North East in-charge PV Acharya, BJP state unit president Th Chaoba and the party's candidate in Inner Manipur P/C Dr RK Ranjan were present.

Elucidating on the party's decision to support BJP candidates, Sovakiran said that BJP is the only party which can defeat the ruling Congress party.

Pointing out that the votes secured by Opposition parties together were greater than the votes secured by Congress party, Sovakiran said that Congress candidates can be vanquished if the Opposition parties are united.

It was from this perspective that MPP decided not to put its candidates, he added.

MPP president N Sovakiran addresses the media in the presence of other leaders

For MPP, motherland is much more dearer than the party.

That is why, MPP is supporting BJP so as to root out corruption from the land and safeguard emotional as well as territorial integrity of Manipur.

BJP's higher authority has also been intimated to incorporate such issues and demands like abolition of AFSPA, enforcement of Inner Line Permit System, protection of Manipur's territorial integrity, eradication of corruption and enlistment of Manipur among special category States in the NDA's election manifesto, Sovakiran said.

BJP North East in-charge PV Acharya, while noting that MPP always stood against Congress since its inception, claimed that BJP can defeat Congress in Manipur with MPP's support.

He went on to claim that Manipur can make rapid strides towards development under the leadership of Narendra Modi in case BJP comes to power at the Centre.

BJP State unit president Th Chaoba said that MPP's support has not merely strengthened BJP in the State.

It also indicates landslide victory for the party's candidates.

Claiming that the Congress party is on the backfoot on seeing the BJP candidates who are well qualified, Chaoba asserted that disturbed area status should be removed from all over Manipur if Irom Sharmila is to be saved.

Visiting her from time to time would not bring any positive result.

Blaming Chief Minister O Ibobi for ceding a large tract of Manipur's territory to the neighbouring country, Chaoba urged the Chief Minister to give an unequivocal statement whether the controversial border fence should be dismantled or not.

Later Dr RK Ranjan conveyed gratitude to MPP president, office bearers and workers for their decision to support BJP.

He also promised a new and clean governance under BJP after uprooting all the corrupt practices which characterised the long years of Congress rule.