Lamka, April 13 2009: NCP candidate LB Sona last night made an imperative pitch during a press conference at his home town to garner the numbers that will take him to New Delhi as an MP, pleading, to pursue a Constitutional safeguard for the tribals and upholding the integrity of the State.

"I am not a new face in poll campaigns, but the extent of encourage and assistance my received from the people and my political allies were different.

When I was in Thoubal the people have greeted me on the streets, blessed me and cheered for me.

They were there waiting for me and not the other way round as was the case in other political campaigns," he told the media.

"In Jiribam and many other places including Saikul in Sadar Hills and Saitu, it was the same," he added.

Addressing a full-scale press conference here for the first time with a vow to undertake developmental programme like never before, and a sense of political security, Sona, who hoped to represent the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency through the 2,30,000 votes he claimed he was expecting, said, he has a reason in not organize any mass campaign here but for NCP Secretary General PA Sangma.

As I felt that the people here were already familiar with my integrity and dedication, I felt the need to reach first reach out to the people who were not familiar with me, but I am in no way undermining my home-town or have taken the people here for granted, he said.

"I will give priority to improved road connectivity, broaden border trades, ensure sufficient drinking and pursue the need to ensure a constitutional safeguard for the tribals," he said.

The roads he mentioned were on his priority include Imphal-Dimapur, Jiri Road, Tipaimukh Road, the Guite Road and an inter-hill district ring road connecting the entire hill districts of the State.

Taking pain in witnessing a constant shortage of drinking water in the township Sona said he will make sure the people have enough drinking water during his tenure if the people wish to represent them at the Centre.

"Very soon the MDA will issue a common minimum programme, and upholding these along with the NCP manifesto will be my responsibility," he said when asked about his stand on the sizzling Manipur integrity issue, adding, "I stand to protect the territorial integrity of the State, unless there is a complete revamp in the political movement".

"The people who have so far disavow me will soon realize that I love and care them more than the one they were headed for now.

I could only pray that they realize their mistakes before the poll day," he said when asked about the credibility of the claims that his movement was restricted in some section of the district.

"From the bottom of my heart, I beg for your valuable votes, please do caste your vote and cast it for me," he told the cameras that flocked around him.

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