Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 03 2009:
Dr Meinya of Congress, Wahengbam Nipamacha of BJP and L Khetarani of Rashtriya Bahujan Congress Party today filed their nomination papers to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha election for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary seat.
The three aspiring candidates submitted their nomination papers to the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal West who is also the Returning Officer of election to the Inner seat.
Including them, so far 6 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the Inner seat.
The aspiring candidates who have already submitted their nomination papers include Dr Nara of CPI, retired IPS officer A Rahman and Nongmaithem Homendro.
The latter two filed their nomination papers to contest in he election as independent candidates.
Dr Meinya submitted his nomination papers at around 11.45 am today.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, MPCC president Gaikhangam, Ministers and other Congress workers accompanied Dr Meinya while coming to submit his nomination paper.
Talking to mediapersons at the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh exuded confidence that Dr Meinya would emerge winner by getting atleast 1 lakh votes over his nearest rival.
Congress would like to fight in this election against many candidates.
The candidates should also be those who are not contesting in the election only in name sake but prominent figures, the Chief Minister added.
When asked whether AICC president Sonia Gandhi would be coming to Imphal in connection with the election, the Chief Minister said that the exact timing of her visit has not yet been finalised, although she had given her assurance of coming for the election campaign.
After coming out from filing his nomination papers, Dr Meinya told mediapersons brusquely 'to look at the election manifesto' when asked about his priorities areas.
'Lets ensure my election', he added.
In connection with the election manifesto of the Congress party, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that since it is a Parliamentary election, there would be no separate election manifesto of the party for Manipur.
The election manifesto published at the National level would be translated in Manipur.
Nonetheless, he assured that he would look into inclusion of issues related to Manipur, if it is required.
On the other hand, Wahengbam Nipamacha of BJP told mediapersons after filing his nomination paper that BJP would give priorities on improvement of roads and bridges, law and order and protection of integrity.