NCP, MPP form pre-poll alliance, others to follow: Agatha Sangma
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 16 2011: To put an end to the Congress-led government and bring up an alternative form of government in the state, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Manipur Peoples Party (MPP) have formed a pre-poll alliance and hopefully further alliance with other like-minded political parties in Manipur is in the pipeline, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma has informed.

Agatha Sangma, who is here on a three-day visit, further said that NCP has all its doors opened for formation of pre-poll alliance with any like-minded party.

Addressing media persons today at NCP Manipur Pradesh's office in Thangmeiband, Agatha Sangma said that she was very much concerned about the issue of military law, AFSPA, and expressed unhappiness over the manner in which the Government remained as a mute spectator to the over 11 years of struggle of Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been fasting to repeal the controversial Act.

The Party will discuss the problems faced by the people of the state from prolonged imposition of AFSPA with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, she assured.

Radhabinod Koijam, NCP State President said that NCP stands for withdrawal of AFSPA and wishes to end the insurgency movement in the State through political dialogue.

Noting that during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Manipur, his government declared one-month cease-fire during the Holi festival so that the militants could visit their loved ones, Radhabinod said that the effort was part of solving the insurgency problem.

Discussion for formation of pre-poll alliance with other political parties is still continuing and it is expected that 2/3 more parties will join the alliance with NCP, he added.

MPP President Dr Nimaichand Luwang asserted that people of the state got nothing but suffering from the Congress led SPF government.

The people of the state are in need of a change.

The change cannot be brought only by the NCP or MPP or any other Opposition party.

So, the party has come up with the decision of forming pre-poll alliances.

Earlier during the day, addressing a political conference at Nambul Mapal Youth Club compound at Keishamthong Ahanthem Leikai, Agatha Sangma observed that the recent 121-day long economic blockade seriously affected the life of the people, but it was never discussed during the North East MPs' meeting.

Even if the elected representatives from the state kept mum on the issue, she, as a representative of the North East approached the PM and Sonia Gandhi to give some financial support to the grief stricken people of the state.

But no response was given by them on time, she lamented.

Nonetheless, she assured that as long as she remains an MP, issues concerning the North East states will be taken up on the floor of the Parliament.The function was also attended by Radhabinod Koijam, NCP State President, MLA Doukhomang Haokip, MLA Th Nandakumar and aspiring candidate of NCP in Keishamthong A/C Laisom Ibomcha.

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