Cong forms pre-poll pact with 5 pol parties

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 27 :  Congress has formed a pre-poll alliance with at least five political parties to defeat the ruling BJP in the  12th State Assembly election, today.
The parties that have forged an alliance  with Congress are CPI, CPI (M), RSP, JD (Secular) and Forward Bloc.
It may be mentioned that CPI has already announced its candidates for Kakching and Khurai AC while Congress had released a list of 40 candidates.  
Speaking to the media at Congress Bhavan today, MPCC president MLA N Loken said that the six parties agreed to tie up after rigorous consultation so as to defeat the BJP and save the State from further deterioration.
Saying that Congress will not contest  in Khurai Assembly Constituency as CPI had already fielded RK Amusana  there, N Loken added that the alliance will work collectively to ensure her victory.
Congress and CPI will have a friendly contest in Kakching, he added.
CPI State secretary L Sotinkumar stated that the alliance is committed to end the  'unconstitutional and undemocratic regime of the BJP.'
Saying that some other parties might also join them, L Sotinkumar added that  the Left and secular parties have resolved to support Congress candidates in the ensuing election.
Claiming that BJP has no chance of winning 40 seats whatsoever, he alleged  that the saffron party will not field candidates in all hill districts.
"Though the BJP is establishing a B team to retain power, the alliance will surely form the next Government," he contended.
According to Sotinkumar, the alliance will be given a name in a day or two and  will work out a common minimum programme.
State secretary of CPI (M) Ksh Santa said that the people of Manipur from middle class families especially youth, farmers and Government employees also want the defeat of BJP.
At the function, former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that forging the alliance took a while but it was not a new thing.
Continuing that Congress had served the State by forging alliance with other parties without any misunderstanding in the past too, the former Chief Minister reiterated that the alliance will have its name and come out with a common minimum programme ahead of the Assembly election unlike the incumbent coalition Government led by BJP.
He asked why the State is not holding  election to the Autonomous District Councils when certain States such as Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka  and Maharashtra have also conducted its local body elections.
Claiming that all institutions have been taken over by the BJP led Government, O Ibobi said that democracy will cease to exist in Manipur and country if the BJP returns to power and added that this is the right time to send them packing.