Imphal, March 23 2009: A forum of the eight independent MLAs from hill areas today announced that they will support People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency, Mani Cheranamei in the forthcoming elections to the 15th Lok Sabha.

The decision of the forum of the eight independent MLAs of the Manipur Legislative Assembly formed on March 21 was made by its Convener, W Morung Makunga today at a press conference held at the official quarter of the MLA, Wungnaosang Keishing.

Speaking to the media persons, Marung also clarified that the forum is not extending direct support to the PDA candidate but considering the regional character of the party, they decided to extend the support.

After knowing that PDA has no connection with national parties, the forum took the decision he said adding that the forum is not in favour of the national parties like the Congress, BJP and NCP.

The forum first think of extending support to the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) as per their request but it has been turned down as there is no meaning of extending support to a party outside the state, he added.

Expressing that Manipur is in a critical situation now, Morung went on to say that at this juncture strengthening of regional party is a much as representatives of the national parties have reserved in putting up regional issues in the Parliament as they are under the national leaders.

The forum believed that representatives of the regional parties could put up regional issues to the Parliament to draw the attention of the government at the Centre, he observed.

Members from the small states are deal with less important by the leaders of the national party even though they represents the party.

People of the state should know this, he insisted.

Wungnaosang, a member of the forum also observed that to put up state's issues to the Parliament with the permission of the leaders by the members of the national party is equivalent to surrender of own freedom.

So forum will not support the national parties at any cost.

"We must support to the party respecting the people of the region.

There is a lot of looser for us while supporting to the national parties.

So, the forum decided to extend support to the regional party like the PDA," he said while expressing believed that Mani Cheranamei will win the election.

Independent MLAs who are the members of the independent forum are Morung Makunga, Wungnaoshang, Shaiza, Khashim Ruivah, M Thorii, K Raina, Newmai Awangbow and Khangthuanang.

Comment