Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 21 2009:
With the objective to strengthen its base with an eye on the 2012 Assembly elections, MPP has opened a leaders' meet at its office today.
The leaders meet which would continue for three days is being attended by district level and Assembly constituency level leaders.
Speaking at the opening function, MPP president Dr L Chandramani dwelled on the failure of the party in the bye-elections to Moirang A/C and the Parliamentary election.
Looking back to the debacle, Dr Chandramani said that the party was at a disadvantaged position to prepare for the polls within a very short period.
Claiming that no other party except MPP can fight the Congress, he recalled that the party's efforts to tie-up with BJP and the bid to join NDA as a partner met with failure.
Subsequently, MPP joined hands with NCP and some other parties and fielded a consensus candidate in the Lok Sabha elections.
But the candidate was replaced by another.
This projected the MPP leaders to the public as bereft of any firm political stand, Dr Chandramani mused.
MLA Shyamkumar's announcement made on a flag-hoisting occasion of MPP candidate Thounaojam Chaoba that he would garner 18,000 votes for the MPP candidate turned out to be contrary on the voting day, the MPP president decried.
Because of this, MPP did not get much votes.
"Let's work together in consultation with party leaders to make MPP a strong party and a serious contender in the 2012 Assembly elections", he appealed to the party workers.
The opening day of the leaders' meet also featured a workshop session with senior party leader MLA O Joy as moderator.