NPF, others search for common candidate in Outer
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, January 24 2014 : Some like minded regional political parties in Manipur along with Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) are working out to field a common candidate in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.

NPF leaders informed Newmai News Network today that they have already consulted with three regional political parties in Manipur in this regard.

When NNN contacted Athuan Abonmai, the general secretary of the party in the State to confirm the reports, he answered in the affirmative.

"Yes, it is true, we have consulted with about three regional political parties in Manipur to field a common candidate in Outer seat of Manipur and the responses are encouraging." It is learnt by NNN that the name of the common candidate of these regional parties including the NPF will be declared next week.

Meanwhile, Naga People's Front (NPF), Manipur State held its district level political conference on Wednesday at Indoor Stadium, Tamenglong as part of its campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll.

Addressing the packed Indoor Stadium of Tamenglong, NPF, Manipur State president Soso Lorho attacked Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and said that development funds are only 'poured' into Thoubal and Imphal's Khwairamband bazar and nowhere else.

Soso Lorho said that Ibobi Singh is only interested in his district Thoubal so most of the development funds are concentrated there.

He also said that even in the valley districts Ibobi Singh has not taken up developmental projects except for few.

Harping on other issues, the NPF leader said the Congress used to accuse the former of being communal.

"But it is the Congress party that has been playing the communal card," alleged Soso Lorho adding, "By holding the placard of secularism the Congress party in reality play the communal card" .

Lorho then said that NPF is the party that will bridge the gap between the rich and the valley.

"Look, because of the Congress party the gap between the rich and the poor is fast widening.

Also addressing the gathering, NPF, Manipur State vice president and former MLA from Tamei N Awangbow dwelt on the peoples' soft corner for the national party.

He lamented that the public tend to attract towards the national parties which he termed it as not a positive trend.

Awangbow said, "We will enjoy more freedom in the regional parties than in the national parties," added the NPF leader.

N Awangbow then said the state government of Manipur has been treating Tamenglong district as a 'human museum' for a long time.

"The state government would often go to Delhi and ask funds citing Tamenglong district's extreme bavkwardness but when the funds are granted they are used in elsewhere," pointed out Awangbow.

NPF leaders from the districts of Senapati, Churachandpur, Chandel, Ukhrul and also from Nagaland participated the event.

Meanwhile, former general secretary of Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA) Paothing Vashum who had joined the NPF fold recently has been appointed as vice president of the NPF, Ukhrul Division with immediate effect.

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