Peoples' Democratic Front starts reading poll tea leaves
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 01, 2012:: Barely five days after Manipur went to polls, leaders of the constituent partners of the Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF) have begun charting strategies to form a new non-Congress Government.

Though the ruling Congress is confident of winning absolute majority and form the next Government for the third consecutive term, the PDF partners have spelt out their respective assessment figures, predicting that the tally of of the Congress would be below thirty.

PDF was formed ahead of the election by five parties - the Manipur People's Party (MPP), NCP, JD (U), CPI (M) and RJD.

The Front put up 43 common candidates at the election that saw a calm exercise in the valley and a disturbing trend with bloody incidents in the hills prompting the ECI to order repoll in 34 booths in the five hill districts of Chandel, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati.

"Leaders of the four constituent members of PDF held an informal meeting yesterday to chalk out strategies to form a non- Congress Government.

As per our assessment over 25 PDF common candidates will come out victorious.

This means that other like-minded parties will definitely join us to push down the Congress and form a new Government," Manipur unit NCP president Rahabinod Koijam said on Wednesday.

Rahabinod Koijam, Th Chaoba and Kim Gangte

Koijam, who is also the Opposition leader and a former Chief Minister, nevertheless said so far they are yet to talk to non-Congress parties like CPI, Trinamool Congress and MSCP, which are not the members of the PDF.

"In our next meeting we will have a more in-depth discussion on how other non-PDF members can be co-opted to achieve our target," Koijam, who contested from Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency said.

The BJP, which shared seats with MPP in some constituencies, exuded strong confidence that the PDF would be abe to win 45 seats while MPP leader Thounoujam Chaoba said the Congress would hardly get ten out of the 40 seats in the valley.

Meanwhile Manipur unit Trinamool Congress president Kim Gangte said the party is yet to assess how many of its 47 candidates put in the fray would win.

"Since repolling in 34 booths in the hills has been announced by the ECI, it would be premature for our party to assess the performance of our candidates.

But we are confident of winning a good number," said Kim, a former MP.

"After the results are declared, we will intimate our thoughts for formation of the next Government to our Central leaders.

We will act upon to the advice of our leaders," she said.