Imphal, October 10:: Striking a confident note, MPP MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang today said that the Opposition sponsored candidate K Ranbir of the MPP will romp home in the Konthoujam by election scheduled to be held on October 13."Our candidate will romp home by a margin of over 4500 votes," predicted Dr Luwang while addressing media persons today.

Stating that the victory of the Opposition candidate is a foregone conclusion, Dr Luwang said that the Congress is today a divided house and added that sharp differences have arisen amongst its MLAs.

Elaborating, Nimaichand Luwang said that 20 Congress MLAs have already written to the AICC high command demanding a change in leadership.

The Chief Minister has also violated the model code of conduct, said Dr Luwang and added that the CM's assurance that the Government will work for the development of Konthoujam AC is nothing but an attempt to fool the public.

"What was the Government doing before?" countered Nimaichand Luwang referring to the promise that Konthoujam will shine if the Congress candidate is elected.

Going on the offensive against the Congress, Dr Luwang said the party has been campaigning on the promise that supporters will be recruited in the IRB etc.

The Social Welfare Minister has also been promising to appoint supervisors to Anganwadi centres as well as give old age pensions.

Appealing to the voters of Konthoujam, Dr Luwang asked them not to believe the false propaganda of the Congress and pointed out that there are no vacancies in the Anganwadi centres.

There is also no provision for providing new old age pension, said the MLA.

Former Chief Minister RK Dorendra of the BJP expressed apprehension that the ruling party might resort to muscle power and intimidation and other malpractices and appealed to the people of Konthoujam to remain vigilant.

Congress MLAs and Ministers resorted to such practices during the last Parliamentary election, said Dorendra.

The Opposition parties have been supporting the people's movement against the AFSPA while the Congress has been supporting its imposition, said Dorendra.

This election is the ideal opportunity to show to the world of the people's stand against this Act by electing the MPP candidate, he added.

If the election is held in a free and fair manner, then the victory of K Ranbir is assured, said FPM president Dr L Chandramani.

The people of Konthoujam showed their character during the anti-cease fire agitation said Chandramani adding that the same spirit is still seen today in the fight against AFSPA.

This struggle should culminate in the defeat of the Congress candidate which is supporting the imposition of the draconian Act, he added.

MPP president O Joy said that the SPF had urged the Election Commission of India to fix the date for the by election at this time to divert the people's attention from the agitation against AFSPA.

As the Opp did not have any say in the matter, the most it could do was to field a common candidate and defeat the Cong at the election, he added.

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