Imphal, January 21: CPI will fight the ensuing elections with preservation of territorial integrity of Manipur, repeal of AFSPA and initiation of political dialogue to solve the issue of insurgency as their main planks, said CPI National secretary AB Bardhan.

Addressing a press meet at Hotel Imphal today, AB Bardhan said that CPI would endorse the ideology of Lamyanba Irabot who sowed the seeds of communism in Manipur.

He claimed that the party is committed to safeguard the territorial integrity of the State.

Reminding that there has been no alteration in the boundary of Manipur because of the peace talk between NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, Bardhan said that the territorial boundary of Manipur would never be compromised.

He dismissed the possibility of dismembering the State on account of the peace talk with the Naga rebel group.

Taking serious note of the refusal of the Union Government to repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 even though the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee has recommended the repeal of the Act, the CPI secretary remarked that such stance of the Government is unacceptable and intolerable.

He asserted that the party would go on with its campaign to ensure repeal of the draconian Act in toto from Manipur.

Observing that military strength would not be able to solve the problem of insurgency, he demanded that the Government declare a unilateral cease-fire with all rebel outfits so that an understanding can be arrived at.

AB Bardhan further appealed to all UG groups not to cause any hindrance to the election process which is the most important feature of democracy.

He promised that CPI will also work to redress other major issues of the State such as inflation, irregularities in distribution of PDS items etc.

Claiming that CPI would fare best in the ensuing elections provided polling is done in free and fair manner, Bardhan informed that CPI is fielding 20 candidates in valley constituencies and 4 in hill constituencies.

While disclosing that the party's alliance with Congress would depend on election results, he hinted that CPI would go together with secular and democratic parties.