The Manipur unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar at the Centre, has announced its decision to most likely abstain from participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Manipur.
The move comes amid escalating external aggression by Kuki terrorists, which the party deems a more pressing issue than electoral politics at this juncture.
The announcement was made by Manipur state president of NCP (AP) Salam Joy during the inauguration ceremony of the party’s new office located at Keishamthong in Imphal West this past Friday.
He said, despite receiving considerable interest from potential candidates seeking the NCP ticket to contest in the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur, the party has been compelled to reconsider its stance.
The prevailing situation in Manipur, where the public has been enduring hardships and refraining from celebrating festivals for the past 10 months, has been a determining factor in the party’s decision-making process, he added.
ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP to support NPF candidate in Outer Manipur
While the NCP remains an integral part of the NDA alliance at the Centre, the party’s position on supporting the BJP in Manipur remains ambiguous, said Joy, expressing concerns over the ruling BJP’s perceived negligence in addressing the 10-month-long crisis both at the Centre and in the state.
In light of the current circumstances, the Manipur unit of the NCP has announced plans to engage in further discussions with its central leadership.
The primary objective of these deliberations will be to arrive at a decision that prioritises the interests and well-being of all indigenous people of Manipur, he added.
ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Akoijam Bimol, Alfred K Arthur to be alliance candidates
