Imphal, February 27 2009: Even as 18 individuals took application forms for Congress party candidature in the two Parliamentary seats of Manipur, only nine have submitted their forms so far.

However, who would be recommended as party candidates would be decided during an MPCC election committee meeting scheduled for March 1. The meeting would also be attended by AICC North East in-charge Lunzinho Falerio and Ved Prakash.

For the Inner Manipur Parliamentary seat, eight candidates took application forms for Congress candidature but till 4 pm today, only three have submitted their forms.

Those who submitted their candidates are seating MP Dr T Meinya, former Speaker Dr Maniruddin Sheikh and MPCC vice-president Md Abdul Salam.

For the Outer Parliamentary seat, six individuals have submitted their forms as against 10 persons who took application forms.

The six prospective candidates are ex-MLA RK Thekho, Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Francis Ngajokpa, Chungkhokai Doungel, Ngamkhohen Kipgen and Yangsho Baite.

Application forms for Congress candidature can be obtained and submitted till 4 pm tomorrow.

To take part in the MPCC election committee meeting scheduled on March 1, AICC's North East in-charge and Congress Working Committee member Lunzinho Falerio and AICC secretary Maj Ved Prakash would arrive at Imphal at 1 pm of the same day.

The two AICC leaders will meet Chief Minister O Ibobi, MPCC president Gaikhangam, office bearers and leaders of the party's frontal organisations at 2 pm after their arrival.

They will leave Imphal at 9.40 am of the next day along with the lists of candidates recommended by MPCC election committee.

The 18 member MPCC election committee is comprised of the Chief Minister, MPCC president, two MPs and presidents and chiefs of Youth Front, NSUI, Seva Dal and Mahila Congress.

On the other hand, AICC president Sonia Gandhi has assured that all sitting MPs of Lok Sabha will be re-nominated to contest the Lok Sabha elections, informed a Congress source.

Sonia gave the assurance on February 25 during the last meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the current Lok Sabha.

The AICC chief has also convened a meeting of all MPs, PCC presidents, CLP leaders, Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States and spokespersons of the party on March 2 and 3 at New Delhi to take a final decision on the poll strategy that would be adopted by the party for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

She has also asked the PCCs to send lists of probable candidates by March 5 so that she can take the final decision on the list.

Sonia Gandhi also met members of the screening committee of various States at her residence on February 24 and asked them to expedite the process of selecting candidates so that she could examine the lists in advance.

The AICC chief has also directed party leaders to focus on national issues as the Lok Sabha elections are national elections.

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