Manipur Polls: Congress Forms Alliance With Five Left Parties to Defeat BJP
News 18The Manipur Congress and five left parties, CPI, CPI, RSP, JD and Forward Block, on Thursday, announced a pre-poll alliance in the ensuing 12th Manipur Assembly election, with a common motive of defeating the BJP. On concerns regarding overlapping of Congress candidate and CPI candidate in the Kakching Assembly constituency, CPI state secretary L Sotinkumar said, the two candidates will be contesting in a ‘friendly manner’. While speaking to the media, former chief minister O Ibobi welcomed the move and said the six like-minded secular parties had joined hands to bring a full stop to the BJP-led government and its ‘dictatorial rule.’ “If the BJP led government continues, democracy will go in peril from the state and Manipur will move only backwards in every aspect,” added Ibobi, who is also the CLP leader. Seeking the public’s support and blessing to empower the alliance, Ibobi said, “With the defeat of BJP by the alliance, Manipur will soon open a new era or chapter of development by forming a coalition government, which will work in the common interest of the public.” When asked about plans to announce any new alliance candidates, Ibobi replied, “Will let you know very soon if there are any.” The press conference was also attended by the president of MPCC N Loken, CWC member Gaikhangam, state secretary of CPI Kshetrimayum Shanta, state secretary of RSP Kangujam Manoranjan, state president of JD K Loken, state secretary of Forward Block Khomdram Gyaneshwar among others.