Imphal, May 18: In an interesting turn of events, MPP candidate Laishram Jatra for the Khangabok by-election has withdrawn his nomination today.

The withdrawal of the nomination paper was done under a political strategy to defeat INC candidates in both the constituencies which go to polls on June 2, MPP claimed.

Speaking to reporters at the MPP office today, its working president Nimaichand Luwang disclosed that Jatra's nomination paper was withdrawn after a detailed consultation with other like minded Opposition parties including independent MLAs.

The three candidates still in fray for the Khangabok Assembly seat are Okram Landhoni (INC), Md Qutub Ali (NCP) and Kh Angou (Samajwadi Party).

On the other hand, six candidates are contesting in Khundrakpam A/C.They are L Lala (BJP), H Bimola (Samata Party), N Singhajit (MPP), L Premchand (CPI), Th Lokeshore (INC) and K Tomba (NCP).

Dr Luwang predicted a keen contest between Congress candidate Landhoni and NCP's Md Qutub Ali in Khangabok A/C.Declaring that the MPP would support and campaign for the NCP candidate to defeat the INC candidate, he claimed that the MPP's candidature in the constituency was sacrificed to include a minority representative in the Opposition group.

He further alleged that Kh Angou of Samajwadi Party is being fielded by the Congress party as a part of their poll strategy adding that the candidate has no chance of winning the by-election.

Confiding that the forthcoming by-elections will bring about a great change in the political scene of the State, he calculated that Congress will have 31 MLAs in the House if they can wrest both the Khundrakpam and Khangabok seats, excluding the Speaker.

In case other parties turn out victorious in both the A/C's, their combined strength in the Assembly will be 29.Adding 9,684 votes secured by L Jatra in the 9th Assembly election to the 6,300 voters of Sangaiyumpham, Nimaichand Luwang calimed that Md Qutub Ali has a fair chance of defeating INC's Landhoni in the Khangabok A/C.Taking part in the press meet, veteran politician Thounaojam Chaoba decried the refusal of the Returning Officer to cancel the candidature of INC candidate in Khundrakpam A/C Th Lokeshore even as his name is listed in three different Assembly constituencies in addition to submitting false surname and father's name.

He contended that the real surname of Lokeshore is Oinam and his father is one Khoidumba, resident of Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai.

Observing that the Returning Officer should not have cleared the candidature of Lokeshore for giving false details, Chaoba disclosed that a criminal case will be filed against Lokeshore.

With the common objective of defeating INC candidate in Khundrakpam A/C, MPP and NCP would contest the by-election on friendly terms, he added.

L Jatra said that he withdrew his nomination paper in accordance to the decision of the party and after consultation with his supporters in order to give advantage to the Muslim candidate.

He also appealed to Chief Minister O Ibobi to withdraw the candidature of Landhoni and to keep his words that advantage would be given to Muslims in case there is by-election in Khangabok A/C.

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