Attack on Cong office an act of terrorism: Chaoba

IMPHAL, Jan 16 – The president of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) and Lok Sabha MP, Thounaojam Chaoba has categorically stated that the attack on the MSCP office at Nambol in the evening of January 3, is an act of terrorism. Speaking to the mediapersons, the Lok Sabha MP Chaoba who is leading one of the strongest regional political parties in this border State, also announced that his party is going to field 42 candidates for the first phase of the forthcoming State Assembly election which is scheduled to be held in two phases in February. He further told the mediapersons that out of the 42 candidates, 32 will fight in the valley Assembly segments while the rest eight in the hill Assembly segments. Expecting not less than 25 to 26 seats from the ensuing 8th Assembly election, the MSCP chief said his party will not go along with any other political party in the election. He, however, stated that the party may have a close fight with the Congress(I) and the Federal Party of Manipur (FPM). The choice before the people is clear, choose Rishang of Congress, Chaoba of MSCP and Dr Chandramani of FPM, he added. On being questioned if he will stack for leadership if MSCP comes to a position to form a new government in Manipur, he said he is the leader of the party. He indicated that he may become the leader as done in other States where the leaders do not contest in the elections. The people should be ready for another election if they choose only four or five from each party. A fluid coalition will result in the formation of a shacky Government in which the alliance will fight for good portfolios, ultimately resulting in downfall of the government, he observed. Reacting to the recent attack on the MSCP office at Nambol, the Lok Sabha MP said the act was an act of terrorism and only terrorists will resort to such action. No underground group would do such a thing, he added. Though the party is producing 42 candidates for the first phase, no woman candidate figures in the first list. However, former Congress leader Y Irabot who was left out of the Congress list has been announced as the MSCP candidate from Wangkhei Assembly segment in Imphal East district. Party president Chaoba, while announcing the party list at the newly-inaugurated Manipur Press Club, informed that the second list of the party will also be announced shortly. Besides, the election manifesto of the party is also likely to be released before January 20.