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Manipur yet to finalise poll ties

Political parties in the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur have started gearing up for the assembly polls.

Polls to the 60-member assembly will be held in two phases on February 12 and 22.

The Congress, which came to power in the last general elections, appears to be facing rough weather this time, suffering from repeated splits and intra-party squabbles.

Its two observers Bhubaneshwar Kalita and Habung Payeng were in the state to oversee preparations of the party.

Payeng said that the party would field its candidates in most of the constituencies while keeping the options open for an alliance with secular and democratic parties like the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India-Marxist and Manipur Peoples Party.

The final picture is yet to emerge regarding an electoral alliance in the ruling coalition involving the Manipur State Congress Party, Federal Party of Manipur and Bharatiya Janata Party.

Both the Communist parties are aware of their limitations and would be too happy to accept any offer from a secular front allotting them a few seats.

The Manipur Peoples Party which enjoys considerable support in a number of constituencies this time could align with the Congress and Communists in a bid to dislodge the MSCP government, headed by W Nipamacha Singh.

Most of the political parties will conclude their bargains for seats with probable partners before this weekend as stated by party functionaries.

UNI

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