Imphal, September 22 2009: Five days after MLA of Yaiskul assembly constituency, Elangbam Kunjeshor passed away at a Delhi hospital, political parties in Manipur have started looking around for the right candidates to fill the vacuum in the by-election, of which date has not even been set by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Leaders of different political parties are reportedly discussing among themselves as to who should be fielded as their candidates in the by-election of Yaiskul assembly constituency which would be held within six months.

It may be worth remembering here that since the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) took the reins of power for the second time after the ninth Manipur assembly elections, three sitting MLAs had passed away.

They were Thokchom Nabakumar of 1-Khundrakpam AC, who was elected on NCP ticket, Mairembam Manindra (INC) of 27-Moirang AC and Elangbam Kunjeshor of 14-Yaiskul AC.

In the earlier two by-elections, Th Lokeshor, son of late MLA Th Nabakumar and M Prithviraj, son of late MLA M Manindra contested on INC tickets and won with huge margin.

Thus, the two sons retained the seats left vacant by their fathers in Khundrakpam and Moirang ACs.

In the meantime, reliable sources in the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) told this newspaper that the party favours Elangbam Suraj, the eldest son of late MLA Kunjeshor, to contest the by-election as the party's candidate.

He would be the most deserving candidate of the party as he will have better advantage of securing votes on sympathy wave just like Lokeshor and Prithviraj had secured, the sources said.

However, the matter has not been officially discussed and decided as yet, the sources said.

On the other hand, leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manipur Pradesh today held a meeting at the party's office located at Nityaipat Chuthek near Keishampat here and reportedly discussed the party's candidate to be fielded in the coming by-election of Yaiskul AC.

It is learnt that the meeting prominently considered the name of RK Dorendro, former Chief Minister of Manipur, as the likely candidate.

Sources in BJP said, the party has begun serious discussions on how to fight the ruling Congress in the by-election of Yaiskul AC.

It is also learnt that the national leaders of BJP prefer RK Dorendro as the party's candidate in the by-election.Meanwhile, opposition MPP has also begun discussion on the by-election of Yaiskul AC.

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