Imphal, January 29: The election manifesto of the Nationalist Congress Party, NCP for the forthcoming elections to the Manipur legislative Assembly was released today by the state unit president, Sapam Tiken Singh, at a function held today at the NCP office located at Babupara.

Addressing the gathering Sapam Tiken said that out of the 33 candidates fielded by the party in both the valley and the hills, 18 candidates in the valley areas and 9 in the hill areas were expected to be successful.

While clarifying that the NCP did not have a pre-poll alliance with any party, Tiken left open the possibility of forming a coalition with other like-minded parties.

He disclosed that in the first week of February, senior NCP leader PA Sangma is expected to arrive in Imphal to join the election campaign of the party.

Other opposition party leaders, including the chief minister of Meghalaya and the president and general secretary of the NCP's youth wing are also expected to accompany Sangma, he said.

He said the NCP would give emphasis on the economic development of the state, and large scale investments would be sought to be made in flood control works, including creation of multi-purpose storage reservoirs at appropriate river reaches.

He also declared that the NCP would ensure proper implementation of various Centrally sponsored schemes such as IGSY, SGSY, EAS, IAY, PMGY, PMGSY, DWCRA, TRYSEM, CWS, MWS, GKY, TOOLS and KITS etc.

He also pledged that the NCP would eradicate corruption.

He added that the NCP would lay emphasis on IT education and AIDS education.

The NCP manifesto pledges the improvement of the two national highways, to make them suitable for speedy and heavy haulage and for proper rail linkage for the state.