IMPHAL, Jan 27: Only two candidates are most likely to fight it out in the ensuing Konthoujam Bye-election which is scheduled for February 14. The filling of nomination for the ensuing bye election was held today at the SDO Patsoi, Kunjabihari’s office chamber located inside the DC Lamphelpat complex.
During today’s filling of nomination for the said bye election, only two candidates turned up. Konthoujam Sarat Singh, of the Trinamool Congress and supported by non congress political parties of the state was the first to turn up at the SDO’s office. While filling his nomination he submitted three nomination papers with support from ten proposers for each three nomination papers.
On a query on the reason behind his filling of nomination of the bye election even though the term will be only for a year, he answered that the person who defeated him and eventually won the last election did nothing for the constituency for which he has been supported wholeheartedly by the public of his constituency.
In a brief meeting with mediapersons on the sidelines of the filling of nomination, he further maintained that it was the support and love of his workers and well-wishes from the public of his constituency that he is today fighting the bye-election to the Konthoujam Constituency which has been left vacant with the untimely death of Sapam Budhichandra who also left the Speaker’s post vacant in the Manipur Legislative Assembly with his death.
Speaking to mediapersons during today’s filling of nomination of K Sarat’s candidature, Kim Gangte, president Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress while terming it as fortunate to have the support from other non congress party in the state even though the party is in its infant stage also added that with the joining of the various political parties in the state a new era has been started.
She further expressed that the present political situation in the state will only help strengthened the party in both the hill and valley districts of the state.
Meanwhile, Dr Sapam Ranjan s/o (L) Dr S Budhichandra filed his nomination paper today evening at the Patsoi SDO’s office chamber.
With only a day left for the last date for filling of nomination to the ensuing bye election it has been largely speculated that the ensuing bye election will be a close fight between the two candidates who filed their nominations today with one supported by the Congress while the other supported by various non congress parties even though he is fighting the election from a Trinamool congress ticket.
Interestingly, it may be added that the Manipur People`s Party (MPP) and the BJP have pledged to lend their support to the candidature of K Sarat of the Trinamool Congress. The MPP workers have even rallied behind K Sarat today along with the Trinamool Congress workers during the filing of the nomination today.
The scrutiny of the nominations will be held on January 29 while the last date for withdrawal of nominations has been stated for January 31. The counting of votes for the bye election will be held on February 17.
In the meantime mentioned may be made that due to a recent Supreme Court decree the scheduled of the general election of 2012 which was supposed to be held in between January and March is highly mulled to be extended to November-December.
