Confusion over two lists of NPF candidates for polls

Imphal, Feb. 6: There is confusion among the public over a report about the release of two lists of candidates by the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in the social media particularly on WhatsApp for the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections scheduled for March 4 and the 8th.
In a set of candidates’ names signed by one general secretary (administration) Horneikhui Kashung of the NPF which was circulated in WhatsApp groups in the state, ex-MLAs ST Nunglung Victor, V Alexander Pao and K Raina were given party tickets for Chandel, Karong and Tadubi seats in Manipur’s Chandel and Senapati districts for the upcoming polls.
A similar set of candidates’ names with the same reference number (NPF-15/MSU/2015-2020/154) of a notification dated February 4, 2017 has TS Warngam, Sani Thaiba and Roberth Maram in place of the above mentioned ex-MLAs in the same above assembly seats.
Otherwise, the names of 12 other candidates in both the lists remain the same. They are Mathiudin Kamei(Jiribam),Kh Armstrong Charanga(Tengnoupal),K Leishiyo(Phungyar),Samuel Risom(Ukhrul),Kashim Vashum(Chingai),M Thangboi Haokip(Saikul),L Dikho(Mao),LK Chongloi(Kangpokpi),Sehpu Haokip(Saitu),Awangbou Newmai(Tamei),Janghemlung Panmei(Tamenglong) and Thongjamlen Haokip (Henglep).
The said notification however says that the NPF, Central Election Committee, had finalised the names of 15 candidates for the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections. Interestingly, the NPF candidates’ list, which includes names of three ex-MLAs, was already published in some of the Imphal and Dimapur-based local dailies in their Monday editions.
However, it cannot be officially confirmed which list is the official one or not till this report goes to the Press. The NPF Manipur unit functionaries also could not be contacted for comment. However sources from Senapati claimed that a review committee of the party’s central committee will look into the matter by holding a meeting.
In the last Manipur assembly elections, the NPF managed to win four seats namely Chandel, Karong, Mao and Ukhrul.
Former chief minister joins BJP
In a new political development, former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manipur Pradesh, which is aiming to replace the 15 years old Congress rule in Manipur, on Monday.
National General Secretary Ram Madhav of the BJP who was in Imphal in connection with the assembly elections welcomed the entry of the veteran politician to the party’s fold.
“The party will be strengthened with the entry of a senior politician like Radhabinodji,” said the BJP leader while addressing a formal reception at the party’s Keishampat office here. The day’s reception was attended by BJP Manipur Pradesh President Kh Bhavananda, Convenor Th Chaoba of state election committee, BJP MLA Th Biswajit, senior party leaders O Joy, Dr Nimaichand Luwang and others.
Radhabinod, popularly known as ‘RB’ in Manipur’s political circle was the chief minister of the state in 2001.But his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led coalition government was however, short-lived, till May after ruling for barely about three months.
He was elected from the prestigious Thangmeiband seat in Manipur’s Imphal West district for five times since 1980.He was elected last in 2007 on a NCP ticket.
The BJP had opened its account in the 60-member Manipur assembly after the late E Kunjakishore Singh won from the prestigious Yaiskul constituency in Imphal in mid nineties. Later, the party had won six and four seats in the 2000 and 2002 polls.
Ex-MLA joins MNDF
Manipur National Democratic Front (MNDF), a constituent party of the newly-floated Left and Democratic Front (LDF) has announced the names of 14 candidates including three hill-based assembly constituencies for the elections in the state.
This was conveyed by the MNDF President Bijoy Koijam during a reception for former MLA Thangjam Nandakishor of Kshetrigao constituency in Imphal on Monday. Nandakishor, who was elected on the NCP ticket from Kshetrigao seat in 2007 assembly polls, joined the MNDF after he was denied the BJP ticket recently.
MNDF is a party formed by a group of politicians who had worked in many national and regional parties at different capacities. Earlier the LDF had informed the media that the front would announce its candidates’ list on or before February 6.
Parties urged not to field non-locals
The All Manipur Youth Protection Committee (AMYPC) has urged political parties ‘not to field any non-locals’ as their candidate in the forthcoming 11th Manipur State Assembly elections. Urging to withdraw candidatures of non-locals if their names already figured in the candidates’ list, the committee said in a release that until the centre formulates a concrete policy in response to the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) no non-locals should be allowed to contest the elections.