Imphal, March 04 2009: Along with declaring LB Sona and Prof N Mohendro as the consensus common candidates in the Inner and the Outer seats respectively of the forthcoming 15th Lok Sabha election, leaders of the five Opposition parties in the State have left the choice to the voters to either exercise their franchise in favour of the Congress candidates if they are satisfied with the present condition of the State or in favour of the consensus candidates if they are not.

The five Opposition parties namely MPP, NCP, NPP, MSCP and CPI (M) come together and all set to form a common front to fight in the election.

MPP has five MLAs, NCP 4 MLAs and NCP 3 MLAs in the State Assembly.

In the Outer Manipuri Parliamentary Constituency, LB Sona who is all set to contest in the election on NCP ticket has been declared as the common candidate.

Sona hails from Latlam Veng of Churachandpur district.

While Prof N Mohendro who would be contesting the election for the Inner seats on MPP ticket would be the common candidate of the Opposition parties.

Mohendro is from Sagolband Tera Loukham Leirak under Patsoi Assembly Constituency.

Addressing a press conference attended by the leaders of the Opposition parties and their MLAs at the office of the MPP here this afternoon, MPP president Dr L Chandramani declared that LB Sona and Prof Mohendro would be the common candidates of the Opposition parties.

The decision to come out with common candidates of the Opposition parties has been taken in the interest of bringing about a political change as the current political system of the Government of India and Manipur has failed to ensure peace and development to the people of the State, Dr Chandramani said.

NCP Manipur Unit president Radhabinod Koijam maintained that there is no sign of a Governance in Manipur today.

Charging the Ibobi led Government with failure in protecting the life and properties of the people, he said the Opposition parties have come together to fight in the election so as to bring about socio-economic changes, better governance and protect the integrity of Manipur.

As soon as the proposed a common front of the Opposition parties is formed, the same would be announced to the people, Radhabinod said, while expressing confidence that the common candidates of the five Opposition parties would emerge triumphant in the Lok Sabha election.

MLA O Joy of MPP said that the Opposition parties have seriously studied the silence of the Congress MP Dr T Meinya to the remarks made by Outer MP Mani Charenamei in the Parliament which aimed at disintegrating Manipur before arriving at the idea of common candidates.

LB Sona would not only be able to protect the territorial integrity and boundary of Manipur but also improve the financial condition of the State by generating more resources and Prof Mohendro has been projected as the common candidate as he understands the issues of Manipur thoroughly and can speak about it in the Parliament., Joy said.

LB Sona and Prof Mohendro who were also present during the press conference, while expressing gratitude for the reposing trust on them by the five Opposition parties also expressed confidence of winning the election with the grace of god and the support of th people.

A graduate, LB Sona was not only a former general secretary of Congress party, member of the State Level Co-ordination Committee of Congress party and the State Government but also the president of Paite National Council, chairman and speaker of Zomi Council.

He had also taken charge as the chairman of Churachandpur BDC and Autonomous Council besides being the founder secretary of All Manipur Tribal Goodwill Mission.

On the other hand, after completing his PhD in Economics, 65-year old Dr Mohendro, had worked as a University professor for 30 years apart from holding various important posts like Dean of Students Welfare and Social Sciences, Controller of Examination and Director of College Development Council.

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