Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 22 2009:
The Congress party has finally come to a decision vis-a-vis the decision to name candidates in the Inner Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency as well as the Outer Parliamentary Constituency.
After a series of brain storming session, the election committee of the All India Congress Committee has finally decided to name sitting Inner MP Dr Th Meinya and former Minister Thangso Baite as its candidates for the Inner and Outer seats respectively.
Meanwhile.
reacting strongly to the emerging trend of threatening and attacking Congress workers by an armed group, Chief Minister O Ibobi has announced that the Congress party or the Government would not compromise with such activities.
O Ibobi was speaking at a meeting Congress workers at Congress Bhavan this afternoon.
Significantly, the meeting was convened to discuss the acts of intimidation and attacks launched by one armed group against Congress workers just ahead of the Parliamentary elections.
The meeting which lasted till late evening was presided by MPCC president Gaikhangam.
The meeting was also attended by Congress Ministers, MLAs, party office bearers and leaders of frontal organisations and cells.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, some Congress workers confided that many Congress workers fear to campaign for the party as the threats and demand to resign from the party still persists.
The workers, on their part, appealed to the party Ministers and MLAs to formulate a policy so as to resolve the issue.
Feeling insecure to stay at their homes because of the threat from a UG group, some important workers of district and block levels have been putting up at Congress Bhavan since a few days back.
After listening to all the appeals and representations of the party workers, Chief Minister O Ibobi categorically stated that there would be no apology or compromise from the side of the party or the Government to the UG group involved in threatening and assaulting party workers.
However, he assured that all possible measures will be taken up to avoid any lapse or loophole.
Security guards may be issued to those under threat, if required, Ibobi said.
He also appealed to all party workers not to be cowed down by the threats but to work courageously as Congress men in the party spirit.
Conceding the impracticability of providing security guards to each and every Congress worker, the Chief Minister advised that those under threat and feeling insecure may stay at Congress Bhavan or at the quarters of concerned Ministers and MLAs.
O Ibobi also appealed to party leaders to work with confidence keeping in mind that the party has greater number of MLAs than other parties.
Debunking reports about differences among party leaders, the Chief Minister claimed that all the party leaders have the same mind and there was no difference on the party�s candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.
Showing that the he has brought A and B forms for the possible candidates, Ibobi said that who would be candidates would be known only when AICC announced their names.
He also appealed to the party leaders and workers to extend all possible support to the chosen candidate without any ill-feeling or fear.
The Chief Minister further appealed to the party workers to wait for two/three days before the AICC announce party candidates.
He also said that notification for Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency will be issued tomorrow.
MPCC president Gaikhangam called upon all party workers to work for victory to Congress candidates and to work with a sacrificial spirit in the interest of the State.