Imphal, December 02 2008: With political parties gearing up for the upcoming by-election to the Moirang Assembly Constituency on December 27, the seat of which has been left vacant after the demise of its sitting MLA Mairembam Manindra, Election Committee of the MPCC has recommended Mairembam Prithiviraj, son of late Manindra, as the candidate of the ruling Congress party.

On the other hand, a meeting of the Core Committee of the MPP today has given its approval to invite aspiring candidates to contest in the by-election as the party candidate.

Till late afternoon yesterday, two persons submitted their applications seeking the Congress tickets for the by election.

The two persons are Mairembam Prithiviraj of Moirang Kiyam and Hemam Boyai of Moirang Lamkhai.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Election Committee of the MPCC held this afternoon has recommended Prithiviraj as the party candidate for the by-election.

MPCC president Gaikhangam and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh are expected to leave for Delhi within the next couple of days to hand over the recommendation of the Election Committee to AICC president Sonia Gandhi.

On the other hand, president of MPP Dr L Chandramani said that the Core Committee of the party has given its approval to invite application from all those who wish to be the party's candidate in the by-election after a thorough discussion this afternoon.

While disclosing that a meeting of the party's Working Committee had earlier recommended the name of S Gopal who was also the party candidate in the last Assembly election from the same constituency as the candidate for the by-election, Dr Chandramani informed that all the Opposition parties in Manipur have even been asked to support Gopal in the bye-election.

However, after Gopal has indicated his unwillingness to contest in the bye-election, the Core Committee has decided to invite application from all those who wish to contest as party candidate, Dr Chandramani explained, adding that the aspiring candidates may submit their application starting from tomorrow till 3 pm of December 5 .

As for the ruling coalition partner, CPI, it is likely that no party candidate will be in the fray for bye-election.

Nonetheless, it is said that a final decision on the election strategies of the party would be taken after deliberation on the issue in a party's State Council meeting due to be held on December 14 .

In the last Assembly election, party candidate had come in the fourth position securing only 2058 votes.

For BJP, party general secretary Prof Tiken informed that it has planned to field candidate in the bye-election.

However, further discussion on fighting the bye-election as well as the Lok Sabha election with other possible NDA partners would be carried out.

By-poll schedule
Issue of notification 3/12/2008
Last date of filing nomination 10/12/2008
Scrutiny of nomination 11/12/2008
Date of poll 27/12/2008
Counting of votes 30/12/2008
Date of completion 1/1/2009 .

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