Imphal, April 11: Even as the Opposition Group has not been able to nominate its consensus candidate for the post of chairman of Hill Area Committee (HAC) of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly scheduled to be held on April 13, the Treasury Bench has made the arrangement to field MLA Thangkholun Haokip of RJD, which is a partner of the SPF and ensure his success.

The last date of filing nomination paper for the post of the HAC chairman is till noon tomorrow.

Two leaders of the Opposition Group namely Radhabinod Koijam and O Joy have been entrusted with the task of selecting a consensus candidate of the Opposition Group (comprising of MPP, NPP, NCP and independent MLAs) for the post of HAC chairman from among the 13 MLAs elected from the Hill constituencies.

But the matter could not be finalised till late evening today.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Radhabinod said as no decision could be arrived at on the consensus candidate of the Opposition Group, proposing the name of Independent MLA Dr Khashim Ruivah to contest in the election is being considered.

Consequently, he might file his nomination paper tomorrow.

On the contrary, MLA V Hangkhalien, president of NPP, which is another member of the Opposition Group, said that since no decision could be taken on a consensus candidate, his party would field MLA Thangmilien Kipgen to contest for the post of the HAC chairman.

NPP would ensure that Thangmilien Kipgen is chosen as the consensus candidate of the Opposition Group till the last minute of filing the nomination paper, Hangkhalien said.

Responding to a question on the possibility of extending support to RJD MLA Thangkholun Haokip who is being proposed as the candidate for the post from the side of the Treasury Bench, Hangkhalien categorically stated at the time of formation of the Congress-led Government, NPP had announced its decision of extending unconditional support, but since NPP had been slighted at the time of seat arrangement in the House, now there is no question of supporting the candidate proposed by the Government.

NPP would ensure the success of its own candidate, he added.

Dr Khashim Ruivah, who is being projected as the candidate of the Opposition Group following the failure of arriving at a consensus candidate was elected from Chingai A/C while proposed candidate of the NPP Thangmilien Kipgen was elected from Kangpokpi A/C. Meanwhile, from the side of the Government, Congress has started making all out efforts to field RJD MLA from Chandel A/C Thangkholun Haokip to contest for the post of the HAC chairman and ensure his success.

Among its five MLAs elected from Assembly Constituencies of the hill area, since Gaikhangam, Phungzathang Tonsing and TN Haokip have been offered Ministerial posts while Manga Vaiphei has been appointed to preside over the election and there is the possibility of inducting DD Thaise in the Council of Ministers, the Congress has no possibility of fielding its own candidate, so the arrangement has been made to field RJD MLA Thangkhulun Haokip in the election.

Though no official letter had not been forwarded, the Congress is learnt to have communicated to the RJD in this regard and the Government has been establishing contacts with many MLAs to ensure the success of the RJD candidate.

In case, NPP candidate Thangminlen Kipgen, who is being projected as the candidate of the Opposition Group, is not in a position to win the election, NPP with its three MLAs is likely to extend its support to the RJD candidate.

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