Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2008:
In probably the first time of such an instance in Manipur, the Election Commission of India has asked the State Government to suspend one college Lecturer for campaigning for the Congress party in the Moirang Assembly Constitution by-election held on December 27 .
According to a complaint filed by the MPP to the Election Commission, the college Lecturer reportedly campaigned for Congress candidate M Prithiviraj during the 93rd birth anniversary function of former Chief Minister and freedom fighter M Koireng at Moirang Chengei ground on December 19 .
The birth anniversary function which was combined with a political conference of Bishnupur District Congress Committee was attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi as chief guest.
Acting on the complaint, the Election Commission conducted an enquiry and subsequently it directed the State Government to suspend the Lecturer currently working under the State's Higher Education Department.
An official source informed The Sangai Express that following the complaint filed by MPP accusing Political Science Lecturer of Moirang College Y Modhu of campaigning for the Congress candidate during the public function held at Moirang Chengei ground, the Returning Officer of the by-election conducted an enquiry.
Report of the enquiry was submitted to the Election Commission through Chief Electoral Officer on December 25 .
The report mentioned that Y Modhu attended the December 19 function which was virtually an election meeting attended by many political leaders.
It was also a combination of two functions.
Y Modhu not only shared the platform with Congress leaders including Chief Minister but also addressed the gathering at the function, mentioned the Returning Officer's report.
On receiving the report, the Election Commission issued a stringent instruction to the Chief Electoral Officer today to suspend the Lecturer immediately and also to take disciplinary action as per conduct rules.
Subsequently, Joint Chief Electoral Officer T Ranjit has written to the Principal Secretary (Higher and Technical Education) asking to suspend the Lecturer immediately.
The Joint Chief Electoral Officer's written intimation mentioned the charges levelled by MPP against the Lecturer.
In connection with the allegations, the Election Commission also collected reports from the Bishnupur DC/DEO and Moirang SDO/RO, disclosed the source.
Interestingly, counting for the Moirang A/C bye-election will begin from 8 am tomorrow at Bishnupur DC office on seven tables.