Imphal, December 16 2008: THOUGH JUST 30 years old, Mairembam Prithvi-raj, the Congress candidate in the by-election of Moirang assembly constituency, has positive visions and clarity of thoughts as matured as his late grand father M Koireng and late father M Manindra when it comes to getting down to his political missions, i.e.in bringing equal development in all parts of Moirang assembly constituency and, in a broader agenda, in contributing his mite in ushering peace and development in Manipur.

Addressing a press conference at his house at Moirang bazar in Bishnupur district this afternoon, young Prithviraj showed his maturity and positivism in his political outlook with soft-spoken and well-thought answers to reporters' questions.

Educationally speaking, an MBA from Mysore University in Human Resource and a PG Diploma in Service Industry Management from ITFT, Chandigarh, Mairembam Prithviraj told reporters that after his father's demise, people of Moirang AC asked him if he could carry the heavy burdens that his father had left half-way.

He then decided to embark on the political mission after days' and nights' battle in his own mind whether he would be able to carry on the legacy �responsibility of leading the people of Moirang assembly constituency into the realm of development in all aspects just as his father had dreamt.

He said, his father had contested in the general elections of Manipur legislative assembly three times, but he lost in two and won only once.

However, before his father could complete the term, he had been taken away by God leaving behind the various developmental works that he had started.

Now, it was upto him to complete the developmental works and fulfil his father's dreams.

His father had wanted to make Moirang AC a wonderful tourist centre and wanted to make the Moirang Sports Complex at Takmu lake a unique one.

He had wanted to bring equal development in Moirang AC in all aspects, and had started working to achieve these goals.

If he is elected by the grace of God and with love and sympathy of the people, and he exuded confidence that he would be elected, he would continue the works, Prithivraj vowed.

Replying to a question, the young Congress candidate, Prithviraj said that so far, there has not been any unwanted incident as regards the election campaigns of the two candidates.

The campaigns have been going on smoothly without any unfair or violent methods being adopted by either side, he said.

To another question, if he was elected, as a young MLA, what he could do to lessen the killings and violence happening daily in Manipur, Prithviraj pointed out that he would consult with the government authorities and the people to bring a conclusive settlement in all the problems.

A journalist asked Prithviraj what his role would be, if he was elected, regarding the conflict situation prevailing in the state, he replied that there would be a solution for every problem.

He would do all he could to bring about a situation in which peaceful dialogue could be held between the government and the insurgent groups.

Even though he is young, he would take a major role to initiate peaceful dialogue between the concerned parties, he said.

This reporter pointed out that every young people at the time of entering electoral politics appeared to be honest, simple and humble as Prithviraj now was, but once he was elected and joined the other politicians, he would lose his honesty, simplicity and humility.

Would he also become a chip off the old block just like the other politicians, this reporter asked.

And he answered that all politicians were not the same.

At least, his grand father and his father were not dishonest politicians, and he would also never become a dishonest and corrupt politician.

He would remain as honest and humble as he was now, he said.

Regarding an often talked about question in Moirang AC that he is too young to become an MLA and lead the people of Moirang, he said, there was no hard and fast rule that a young man can not become a leader.

The constitution of India provides that once a person reaches eligibility of exercising universal franchise, he could also contest in general elections and there was nothing that says that a young man could not have great ideas.

He cited the example of young Barack Obama, the president-elect of US, who fought with the elderly and experienced politician, John McCain.

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