Ukhrul, January 22: Out of the 16 candidates in fray for the three Assembly constituencies of Ukhrul district for the 9th Assembly election the names of 14 candidates have been cleared by the Returning Officer during scrutiny held today.

Nomination papers of Congress candidate Victor Keishing, Valley Rose (NNP), N Solomon (Ind), K Somi (Ind), and K Wungnaoshang (Ind) have been found valid in 43 (ST) Phungyar A/C where as nomination paper in respect of Independent candidate Amrita Ningshen has been kept in abeyance following a protest on her ST status.

The formal finalisation of the scrutiny for Phungyar will be announced tomorrow, said an official notification.

An official source informed The Sangai Express that the case of Ningshen will be heard tomorrow at 2 pm.

During scrutiny of Phungyar A/C Independent candidate K Somi raised a query to the RO regarding the candidature of Government registered contractors and why Independent candidate Wungnaoshang Keishing should not be disqualified under clause 9 (a) of section 9 (a) of chapter 3 of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 read with Article 102 clause I (a) and 191 Clause 1 (a) of Indian Constitution.

In respect of 45 (ST) Chingai A/C, nomination papers of all the five candidates namely, A Aza (INC), RV Mingthing (MSCP), David K Shimray (IND), Dr Khashim Ruivah (IND) and Tuireishing Longva (IND) had been found valid.

In 44 (ST) Ukhrul A/C, the nomination papers of the four candidates AS Arthur (INC), Danny Shaiza (IND), AS Shimreiyo (IND) and Haokhomang Guite (Lok Jan Shakti) had been cleared.

However, the nomination paper of Congress candidate Aleng Shimrah was rejected following the last minute forwarding of the party official nominee to A.S Arthur under the Directive of AICC president.

With this the ticket tussle among the two Congress candidate finally come to an end.

In a hurridly called press conference by Aleng Shimrah at his residence, he said that he had no bad feeling with the party but to remain true and sincere in order to uplift and strengthen the party principle even if the party deny him the ticket.

However, his workers expressed strong resentment to the sudden somersault of the party high command by canceling his party ticket at the last moment.

Aleng Shimrah was officially given the party ticket by the party high command on Jan 14 and accordingly he file his nomination as Congress candidate for 44 (ST) Ukhrul A/C on 18th Jan' at Imphal.

However on the recommendation of the Congress observers recommendation, the party high command cancelled his ticket in favour of AS Arthur.