Imphal, January 08: CPI and MSCP today released the first phase of respective party candidates who will contest in the 8th State Assembly elections scheduled to be held on February 14 and 21 next.

The CPI list includes the names of fifteen candidates.

Ph Parijat (Lamlai), N Mangi (Kumbi) and Dr M Nara (Wangjing Tentha) were among the list.

Party sources said the names of candidates in five more constituencies will be announced within two or three days.

A prominent party leader expressed full confidence whose names were included in the first phase announcement will win their seats.

When pointed out that CPI could not have won any seat in the 7th Assembly election, he said CPI was in the clear when the anti-ceasefire extension riot broke out in the midst of unchecked defections by the MLAs.

The people had held the MLAs responsible for the episode.

As such CPI is confident that it will secure good number of seats this time.

Stating that the lection manifesto will be released before January 16, the CPI leader said it will promise to fight corruption, defection and to demand for a special package to bail out the State out of the present state.

He ruled out any pre-poll alliance and said his party will never go together with NDA partners.

Meanwhile, MSCP president Th Chaoba announced the names of four candidates at the party office today.

Stating that the party will contest in 52 seats, Chaoba said that several prominent leaders of political parties like NCP, BJP, JD (U) and CPI have joined it.

The final list of candidates will be announced after its finalization by the election committee meeting on January 12.On the other hand Nationalist Congress Party general secretary PA Sangma will be coming to Imphal to finalize the list of party candidates for the forthcoming elections.

Meanwhile, the Naga National party, NNP is likely to announce the list of eleven candidates for the elections before January 15.The party which is making its debut in Assembly elections is contesting 11 seats in four hill districts.

The party election manifesto is also likely to be published during 13-14 January next.