Imphal, December 22 2008: With just five days to go for the Moirang Assembly Constituency by-election, both the contesting parties have intensified their election campaigns while also taking digs at each other.

"Should the dreaded Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 be repealed from all over Manipur and should the life of Irom Sharmila be saved, it's time to overthrow the Congress led SPF Government and this should be kick-started by the people of Moirang A/C", said former Union Minister Th Chaoba.

Wakat Meephams would not be able to repeal AFSPA, he said.

Addressing an election meeting for MPP candidate Hemam Bir Singh at Tera Khongshangbi LP school ground today, Chaoba asserted that if the people of Manipur are determined to repeal the draconian AFSPA from all over the State and wish to stop killings and violence, they should elect a new Government after overthrowing the incumbent Government.

Only then the people's wish can be fulfilled, he asserted.

Late Mairenbam Manindra was among the Congress MLAs who camped for two months at Delhi to topple Ibobi, said the former Union Minister.

Since then, Chief Minister O Ibobi has refused to sanction fund for development works in Moirang A/C which resulted in the Assembly segment's current backward state, Chaoba alleged.

MPP leader Kh Ibomcha asserted that there is internal conflict within Congress especially between the MPCC president and the Chief Minister.

Observing that dissent among Congress MLAs for not receiving ministerial berths is still lingering, Ibomcha said that people should not expect any ministerial berth for Prithiviraj even if he gets elected.

MPP spokesperson RK Anand appealed to the people not to submit to the Congress party's attempt to buy votes.

Claiming that the MPP candidate would certainly emerge victorious, Anand called upon all to ensure a free and fair poll.

He asked the electorates to cast their votes after thinking seriously whether the prevailing killings and violence should be allowed to go on or not.

Dr Ng Bijoy claimed that MPP is working to formulate a policy to address the problem of health care facilities, lack of development and haphazard education system of Moirang.

Former Minister Paonam Achou remarked that the Congress party was not elected to power to kill innocent civilians.

He reminded that there is no change in MPP's stance for integrity of Manipur.

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