Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 30 2009:
Ending all speculations about a possible Congress-BJP battle in the Yaiskul by-election, the BJP State unit has decided not to put up its candidate in the by-poll.
However, MPP and NCP are yet to announce their decisions officially whether they would be contesting the by-poll or not.
Going by the indecision of the two Opposition parties even as it is now just 18 days to the by-poll, it is mostly likely that the by-poll would turn out to be a straight battle between the Congress party and the independent candidate.
Notably, no candidate has filed nomination papers till date even as the last date of nomination is December 2 .
A meeting of the BJP State election committee was held with its president Dr Haobam Borbabu in the chair today.
After minute deliberations, the meeting resolved not to put up any BJP candidate in the Yaiskul by-poll.
The meeting deliberated on the resignation of Hanjabam Jayadeva alias Gandhi from Congress as well as his written appeal to the BJP to support him in the by-poll.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Dr Borbabu said that the question of supporting independent candidate Jayadeva or not would be decided after observing the strategies of other opposition parties with regard to the by-poll.
To a query about the BJP's inability to field a candidate, Borbabu said that former Chief Minister RK Dorendra contested in the last Assembly elections as MPP candidate but now he has joined BJP.
RK Dorendra contesting the by-election under BJP ticket would be problematic in the election campaign.
This might create confusion among the voters, he said.
Even as another joint meeting of MPP advisory committee and its legislature party was held today, it could not take a definite decision on Yaiskul by-poll.
It is said that a final decision would be adopted in another meeting with representatives of MPP Yaiskul Kendra committee tomorrow.
Likewise, a definite decision eluded NCP even as the party convened a meeting and deliberated on the Yaiskul by-poll today.