Opposition alliance readies to take on Congress
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2011: The Opposition alliance of five political parties formed to fight the ruling Congress in the ensuing Assembly election slated for January 28 next year is all prepared to formulate common agendas for the polls.

"To chalk out a common agenda and poll strategies including seat sharing in certain constituencies of the alliance partners, we will convene a meeting tomorrow," said MPP president Nimaichand Luwang.

At a joint media conference of BJP and the regional Manipur People's Party (MPP) at the former's State unit office today, Luwang, a former Minister, said the common target of all five allies is to defeat the Congress.

The other partners of the Opposition alliance which is yet to be named comprises of NCP, RJD and JD (U) .

Responding to a query, Luwang said they have an understanding with the CPI and feelers have already been sent to Trinamool Congress.

"We invite all 'like-minded' parties to join us and defeat the Congress", Luwang said adding that composition of the alliance including convenor will also be structured, he said.

To another poser, Luwang said the alliance has no link nor will it hold talks for grouping together with the Naga People's Front (NPF) .

One of the main agendas of the Nagaland-based political party is alternative arrangement for the Nagas.

The NPF is reported to have decided to field its candidates in some of the hill constituencies in the sixty-member Manipur Assembly.

Echoing Luwang, BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javedekar said it is the right time for the alliance to defeat the Congress.

Earlier addressing a BJP meeting at Imphal, Javadekar came down heavily on the Okram Ibobi Singh Government saying that 'blockade of Ibobi Singh' is still going on as the prices of essential items during the recently ended 120-day-old economic blockade still prevails.

"We have learnt that Ibobi Singh is contesting from two constituencies in the coming polls but on both turfs our candidates would be fielded to defeat him," Javedekar said.

On the other hand two MPP legislatorsRK Anand and Th Shyamkumarhave resigned from the party and Shyamkumar joined the Trinamool Congress.

Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress president Kim Gangte has officially confirmed Shyamkumar joining the party.

Though MPP's ideology is good, the party is inconsistent in taking political decision, charged Shyamkumar.

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