The Manipur Congress along with the CPI, CPI(M), RSP, JD(S) and Forward Block on Thursday announced to form a pre-poll alliance in the ensuing 12th Assembly election of Manipur, with a common motive of defeating the BJP.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the head office of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee in Imphal West in presence of the leaders of the six political parties.
According to them, the alliance will be given a name within one or two days and will carve out a common minimal policy programme in the interest of the public very shortly.
Recently the Congress had released its first list of 40 candidates and the CPI had also named two candidates in its first list of the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly. However the remaining four left parties had not announced any of its candidates till date.
Concerning the overlapping of Congress candidate (Kshetrimayum Kennedy Singh) and CPI candidate (Yengkhom Roma Devi) in Kakching Assembly constituency, CPI state secretary L Sotinkumar said that the two candidates of the alliance will be contesting in a ‘friendly manner’ in Kakching Assembly constituency.
For the CPI candidate (RK Amusana) of Khurai Assembly constituency, the alliance had decided to jointly support their lone candidate of the constituency, he informed.
The alliance had also decided to jointly support the remaining 39 candidates of Congress collectively to ensure that they win the election, he added.
Former chief minister O Ibobi while speaking to the media expressed his gladness that the like minded six secular parties had joined hands to bring a full stop to the BJP-led government and its ‘dictatorial rule.’
If the BJP-led government continues, democracy will go in peril from the state and Manipur will move only backwards in every aspect, added Ibobi who is also the CLP leader.
He alleged that the delay tactics in the conduction of local bodies’ election in Manipur by the BJP-led government is a clear cut example of their dictatorial rule. “Why can’t the state government conduct the local bodies’ election when other states can conduct it during the pandemic?” he questioned.
Seeking the public support and blessing to empower the alliance, Ibobi said, “With the defeat of BJP by the alliance, Manipur will soon open a new era or chapter of development by forming a coalition government, which will work in the common interest of the public.”
When asked about plans to announce any new candidates of the alliance, Ibobi replied, “Will let you know very soon if there are any.”
The press conference was also attended by president of MPCC N Loken, CWC member Gaikhangam, state secretary of CPI(M) Kshetrimayum Shanta, state secretary of RSP Kangujam Manoranjan, state president (in-charge) of JD(S) K Loken, state secretary of Forward Block Khomdram Gyaneshwar among others.
