MPP to support BJP in Manipur

10 candidates file nominations for Outer constituency Newmai News Network/ Correspondent IMPHAL, March 22 [dropcap]M[/dropcap]any political parties under the banner of North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) are joining the NDA and supporting the BJP as election canvassing heats up in the North East region. After the PA Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP) and Naga People’s Front (NPF) having made their stands clear in endorsing the NDA, the Manipur People’s Party (MPP) today declared its support to the BJP in Manipur. MPP is one of the 10 political parties of NERPF. Speaking to the media today, MPP president N Sovakitan said the party is not fielding its candidates in Manipur in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls but will fully support the BJP. Sovakiran said MPP’s strategy is to topple the Congress applecart.“Killings have become rampant in Manipur under the regime of the Congress government,” alleged Sovakiran. He said the Congress may say that it was during the NDA regime where the NSCN-IM’s ceasefire was extended to Manipur and in protest against it 18 lives were claimed. “But under the rule of the Congress so many lives have been lost,” he said adding,” Even numerous designated camps of the NSCN-IM have come up in Manipur after the Congress has come to power.” The MPP leader also said it was during the Congress regime that a large number of people were killed during the anti-Sikh riot. Also joining the press conference, PB Acharya, BJP secretary incharge of North East, said for the BJP all religions are equal. “We have no such line of thinking where we put one religion above the others,” Acharya said. He added that the BJP’s main goal is to bring all round development. Few days ago, NPP leader PA Sangma had said NERPF is fighting in 21 of the 25 seats in the North-East, identifying the Congress party as its main rival in the region. In Nagaland, the BJP is supporting the NPF candidate in Neiphiu Rio. Meanwhile, altogether 10 candidates, including the sitting Congress MP Thangso Baite, have filed nomination papers for the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency comprising hill districts for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. The polling for the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency will be held on April 9 while polling for Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency comprising the valley districts will be held on April 17. Three candidates Khamchinpau Gangte of Aam Aadmi Party, Lalamoi alias Momoi Gangte of communist party of India (Marxist) and Independent candidate Amarson Samkhir have filed their nomination papers on the last date of filing the nomination paper on Saturday. Earlier, seven candidates, including the Congress candidate Thangso Baite, Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)’s candidate Prof Gangmumei Kamei, NCP’s Chungkhokai Doungel, Independent candidate Mani Charenamei, All India Trinamool Congress candidate Kim Gangte, Lien Gangte of JD(U) and Soro Lorho of Naga People’s Front, filed their nominations. The scrutiny of the candidates will be held on March 24. On the other hand, only one candidate G Tonsana of Manipur People’s Democratic Front has filed his nomination paper for the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency seat till date. The last date for filing nomination papers for the Inner Parliamentary constituency is March 26 and scrutiny will be done the following day. The last date of withdrawal is March 29.