IMPHAL, SEPTEMBER 30: Former Minister Bijoy Koijam in Ibobi Singh-led-Congress government in association with some like- minded group of people formed a new political party called Manipur National Democratic Front (MNDF).
“We form the new regional party to strengthen the democratic and pluralistic Manipur comprising various communities besides giving attention to the grievances of the hills,” president Ch Priyo Kumar of newly formed MNDF said while speaking to media in Imphal.
Sharing a similar sentiment, former Congress Minister Koijam who is the vice president of MNDF said, “Regional party is need of the hour as bigger states of the country are being ruled by regional parties. So we’ll be holding a big political conference of the party in October to take further course of action.”
However, MNDF is planning to field around 40 candidates including 10 in the valley and 30 in hills in the upcoming assembly polls which is scheduled to be held in early part of 2017, said Lien Gangte, former JD(U) state unit secretary and vice president of MNDF.
Former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam who attended the formal political party launching session as an invitee also opined that the move to float a regional party is a good sign for the people of Manipur as it can assert and highlight local issues in the national forum.
Meanwhile, a group of people also launched another new regional political party called ‘Meeyamgi Thougalloi Manipur (MTM)’ in Imphal. Informing this to media here, Chungkham Joyraj, adhoc convenor of MTM said that they will start registration works of the party within next week. MTM is not only a political party but it is a movement of Manipuris against corruption and economic deprivation of the masses as we strive for social equality and economic prosperity of Manipur, according to Joyraj.
The ruling Congress, opposition BJP and Naga People’s Front are expected to be the main political parties in the upcoming assembly polls in Manipur.
In another development, the persons with disabilities (PWD) in Manipur on Saturday appealed to the general public as well as the authorities concerned to ensure PWD electors are given priority for casting their votes in the upcoming assembly polls.
Speaking to reporters, functionaries of various NGOs including Spastic Society Manipur while launching the campaign towards accessible & inclusive elections in Manipur here appealed to the guardians and other concerned parties not to keep their physically challenged inside their houses during the polling day. At the same time the state machineries also should ensure the necessary facilities for the PWD while casting their votes in ensuing poll.
