Imphal, January 14: The Manipur State Congress Party, MSCP's first list of 42 candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections was announced today by the MSCP president, Lok Sabha MP Th Chaoba.

Chaoba, addressing a press conference today, said the MSCP would be contesting at least 50 seats.

A second list of candidates would be announced shortly, he said.

He predicted that the MSCP would win at least 20 scats in the valley areas and at least nine in the hill areas.

While confirming that the MSCP remained part of the National Democratic Alliance, he ruled out the possibility of any pro-poll alliance for the forthcoming elections.

Chaoha appealed to the public to exercise their franchise in such a way that a single party gets a majority and is able to form the government.

He said the MSCP would contest the elections on the basis of five basic themes: 'territorial integrity is our identity', 'peaceful coexistence is our heritage', 'our youth are our future', 'our women are our inner strength' and 'social integrity is our zeal'.

Regarding the burning down of the MSCP office at Nambol by unknown persons in the first week of January, he described it as an act of terrorism, but said he did not believe that the underground outfits of the state were behind the incident.

Asked whether he harbored hopes of becoming chief minister, he said that if the party asked him to, and if the political situation at the time warranted it, he was prepared to become chief minister.