Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 16 2009:
Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing has expressed his readiness to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate, provided the AICC nominates him.
Speaking to The Sangai Express after his recent trip to Delhi in connection with the Lok Sabha elections, Phungzathang confided that there is no question of accepting or turning away from contesting the election in case the AICC gives him the party ticket.
Saying that he would go in line with the decision of the party high command, Phungzathang said that he would fight for the Outer Parliamentary seat in case the high command wishes so.
To a question about his confidence of getting the party ticket even though he did not apply for the same, Phungzathang admitted that he was not among the eight applicants who are vying for the Congress ticket.
Moreover, there was no attempt on his part, either physically or mentally to contest the election, he said.
His activity as an AICC observer during the Assembly elections of Mizoram held some months back and the return of Congress to power in the neighbouring State after the elections might have prompted the AICC high command to propose his name as the party's candidate for the Outer Parliamentary constituency scheduled to go to polls on April 16, Tonsing confided.
To fight for the Outer Parliamentary seat, provided he is given party ticket, would be no cakewalk under the prevailing con-dition in Manipur, he con- ceded.
Noting that 34 different tribal communities are inhabiting the 20 Scheduled Tribe Assembly segments of the hill districts, Phung-zathang said that it would be no easy task to wrest victory in the elections as most voters cast their votes on ethnic lines.
He was elected MLA five times besides holding MPCC president for two consecutive terms.
The Outer Parliamentary Constituency covers five hill districts and eight Assembly segments of the valley.
The eight individuals who have applied for party ticket to contest fo the Outer seat are former Ministers RK Theko, Francis Ngajokpa, Jangamlung Panmei, party vice-president Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Chungkholun Kipgen, Khanthang Ton-sing (son of Phungzathang Tonsing), Thangso Baite and C Doungel.