Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 30 2009:
Retired IGP A Rehman is all prepared to fight for the Inner Lok Sabha seat as an independent candidate.
Rehman filed his nomination papers today.
Speaking to reporters at his Pangei residence today, Rehman said that he chose to fight as an independent candidate considering the instability existing within political parties.
"Moreover, I would not like to be a candidate of any party which has adopted certain colours" he claimed.
His desire to highlight the conditions of Manipur by putting up major issues of the State in Parliament and his firm belief that he can take up take up various development programmes in the State by going together with the Govt at New Delhi motivated him to fight the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate, he said.
Conveying that the United Friendship Organisation (UFO) which have more than two lakh members and other NGOs have assured him full support, Rehman claimed that election campaign have been completed in ten Assembly segments of Imphal East district.
At present, intensive campaign is being undertaken out along Tidim line, he said.
Saying that he would raise 18 different issues in the Parliament in case he is elected, Rehman informed that preservation of communal harmony, safeguarding the identity of Manipur and the country at large, revocation of AFSPA, implementation of MLR Act in hill districts and formulation of reservation policy for women and minorities are some of the issues he would focus.