Imphal, April 18: Setting the agenda clear for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the Outer Parliamentary election, numerous Naga civil societies including the UNC and its federating units All Naga Students' Union, Manipur, Naga Women's Union, Manipur, and Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights have asked all the Nagas to take part in the election and vote for Independent candidate Mani Charenamei.

In a statement issued to the press today, UNC said that all Nagas should maintain equi-distance from the National parties, namely the Congress and the BJP and regional parties, namely the NCP, NTC, JD (U) and MPP and not support any candidates sponsored by these parties and instead support the candidacy of Mani Charenamei, who is contesting the election as an Independent.

The statement recalled that in the last two elections, 1997 and 1999, the Naga population of Manipur had boycotted the elections under the slogan, "We want solution not election." However with the peace process on between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, it is only right for the Naga people to participate in the election to facilitate the peace process, observed UNC.

The statement further said that past instances have shown how elected candidates had always reneged on their promises and the time is now right to remedy past mistakes.

The UNC has further issued stern instructions to Charenamei to work whole heartedly for the whole of Manipur and use his development fund equally for every community of the State if he is elected.

The candidate has also been asked to give special attention to the people of Thoubal and Jiribam who cannot contest the election.

Students question UNC move: Even as the UNC has urged all Nagas to vote for independent candidate Mani Charenamei, the Shepoumaramth Students' Organisation, Senapati has issued an open letter to the UNC president questioning the stand of the Committee.

The open letter pointed out that UNC is a non political organisation and questioned whether it is still a social, non political party or a political party.

The students also questioned why the UNC is openly canvassing for Charenamei and further queried when the decision to support Charenamei was taken, whether the decision was taken with the mandate of the August house or in the personal capacity of the president or due to some extraneous consideration.

The students also asked whether the decision was taken at Dimapur and whether the headquarters of the UNC is at Dimapur or Manipur.

The open question also asked the president of the UNC whether he has violated the constitution of the Committee or not and if so to resign.