Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 27 2009:
Councillor of Imphal Municipal Council Ward No 19 Hanjabam Jayadeva alias Gandhi has resigned from the primary membership of Indian National Congress and decided to fight the Yaiskul by-election as an independent candidate.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Yaiskul BJP Mandal held today has decided not to put up its own candidate but support independent candidate Jayadeva.
Apparently, BJP has shied away from fielding a common candidate of opposition parties.
Jayadeva was elected Councillor of IMC Ward No 19 under INC ticket twice.
Incidentally, Jayadeva's father Kunjakishore also fought Assembly elections earlier though unsuccessfully.
The resignation letter submitted to MPCC president Gaikhangam today said that giving party ticket to a newly admitted member without considering the application made by a senior member for party ticket was against the party principle.
Soon after resignation, Jayadeva sent written appeals to presidents of opposition parties including BJP, MPP, NCP, MSCP and CPI (M) seeking their support to his candidature in the Yaiskul by-election scheduled for December 19 .
Till date, Elangbam Suraj, son of late sitting MLA E Kunjeshore, representing INC, O Mahavir representing JD (S) and H Jayadeva alias Gandhi (independent candidate) have confirmed their candidatures for the Yaiskul A/C by-poll.
Meanwhile, a meeting of Yaiskul BJP Mandal held today has decided not up their candidate in the by-poll.
The decision would be deliberated in the meeting of BJP State election committee scheduled tomorrow.
The Mandal would go by the decision of the election committee.
As the unfolding scenario has all the likelihood of BJP not contesting the election despite being constituency of former Chief Minister RK Dorendra and having considerable number of BJP supporters, it is unlikely that opposition parties, particularly BJP and MPP, would be able to put up a common candidate.
Considering the political dynamics in the last few days particularly within BJP, it is possible that MPP would not be fielding its candidate in the by-poll.