Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 16 2009:
The Opposition Manipur People's Party (MPP) and BJP, which have not been able to single out a common candidate to field against the Congress in the ensuing by-election to Yaiskul Assembly Constituency, are set to hold another round of meeting over the same issue.
The two Opposition parties maintained that only a common candidate from the Opposition front can defeat the ruling Congress and upcoming by-poll will be a litmus test for Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his Congress party.
The by-poll to the Yaiskul Assembly Constituency, covering parts of Imphal East and West district, has been necessitated following the death of its sitting Congress MLA Elangbam Kunjeshore , who was also the Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board.
In connection with the efforts being made for fielding a common candidate, National executive member of BJP Meinam Bhorot said that a joint meeting of the BJP and MPP had already been convened but could not take a definite decision on who should be projected as the common candidate to take on the ruling Congress.
"But we will consult with the MPP to hold another round of meeting very soon," he disclosed, adding that speculations are doing round within the BJP members to field either former Chief Minister RK Dorendra or his politically groomed son Suraj.
"It would be too early to speak out the candidate's name officially from our side but the ultimate idea for both BJP and MPP is to find out a common candidate.
If the MPP projects a dynamic candidate, we will sacrifice our claim and support him," the BJP leader said.
On the other hand, MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang said that it would be very difficult to speak out immediately from which party the common candidate would be fielded.
"We will introspect and ponder over the collective idea of fielding the most deserving common candidate to defeat the Congress," Dr Luwang reiterated.
Meanwhile, CPI, which is a coalition partner of the ruling Congress led SPF Government has convened a meeting of its State executive on October 19 to discuss whether it will field its candidate or not in the by-election, a leader of the left party disclosed.