Imphal, November 06 2010: To ensure the defeat of the Congress candidate in the forth-coming by-election to Konthoujam Assembly Constituency, the BJP has proposed to all like-minded Opposition parties to field a consensus candidate.

Speaking to media persons at their Nityaipat Chuthek office today, BJP State unit president Sh Shantikumar claimed that he was a candidate who fought under BJP ticket and secured second position in Konthoujam A/C elections.

However, the party would like to field a common candidate of all like-minded parties excepting CPI and Congress.

Reminding that the Congress party succeeded in retaining Khundrakpam, Moirang and Yaiskul seats in the earlier by-elections, Shantikumar appealed to all like minded Opposition parties to join forces and field a common candidate and fight the by-election jointly.

Observing that the restive situation in Manipur has been aggravating day by day, Shantikumar said that he would urge the BJP Central leaders to table the issues of Sharmila and UNLF Chairman RK Meghen alias Sanayaima in the winter session of Parliament.

A team of BJP State unit would be heading to Delhi soon to apprise its central leaders about the condition of Irom Sharmila Chanu who has completed 10 years of fasting demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as well as the issue of RK Sanayaima whose whereabouts still remain undisclosed after his reported arrest at Dhaka.

The State unit has also appealed to party president Nitin Gadkari to visit Manipur in the month of January to take stock of the situation prevailing in Manipur directly.

It is shameful that the State Government has been making hectic preparations to welcome UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi whereas none of the Congress leaders based at Delhi bothered to visit the State when the State was embroiled in several serious issues, Shantikumar remarked.

He went to question Sonia Gandhi's position in UPA Government.

"Do the three newly constructed market complexes of Khwairamband Keithel belong to Congress party?", the BJP State unit president asked. If Sonia Gandhi is coming to Manipur on NH 53 rather than by air to see the condition of the highway, BJP would be ready to accord her a warm welcome.

As a woman and a mother, Sonia is obliged to meet fasting Sharmila instead of going back after seeing some beautified places of Imphal.

She should meet and see the conditions of widows whose husbands have been killed in fake encounters, Shantikumar said.

Alleging that administration of the SPF Government has failed, he charged that the Chief Minister is unable to control his Council of Ministers.

Even as the highway blockade has ended and rainy season is over, people are still suffering from acute scarcity of petroleum products.

As the Government is not sincere, it has no right to remain in power any longer, Shantikumar asserted.

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