EC finally freezes MSCP cultivator

IMPHAL, April 24: The Election of Commission of India has ordered that the symbol of the MSCP, "Cultivator Cutting Crop" should not be used by any of the two contending parties till the issue is resolved. The EC in an order issued today stated if any candidate is put by either or both of the two contending parties for the Kshetrigao by-election then the candidate/s will be allotted different symbols from the existing list of free symbols. For the purpose of identifying the two groups the EC has dubbed the Nipamacha group as MSCP (N) and the Chaoba group as MSCP (C). The order of the EC said that since both parties have been countering charges of forgery and filing of individual affidavits of support by some persons in favor of both the groups, the Commission is of the view that the documents furnished by the rival groups cannot be straightaway relied upon for determining the relative strength of the two parties. The Commission said it needs to examine as to whether, and to what extent, the individual affidavits submitted by the two groups can be relied upon. According to the Commission the Chaoba group submitted affidavits from 19 MLAs affirming their support while the Nipamacha group submitted individual affidavits of 21 MLAs claiming their support to the group. The EC also noted that some MLAs have submitted affidavits in favor of both the groups. Meanwhile Chaoba group of the MSCP castigated Paonam Achou for dragging in personal matters in his tirade against Chaoba. The personal affront launched against Chaoba by Achou is unbecoming of a politician. Joykumar was lying when he said he and the others had not forged the signatures of the 6 Ministers/MLAs in the affidavit to the EC. An FIR has been submitted and inquiry is underway. On the allegations of submitting resolutions to the EC and the Assembly Speaker, the group said it would be wrong to assume that it has hurt the privilege of the House. The statement said the case is still with the High Court and only the court can decide the issue.