IMPHAL, Feb 18: In what could be termed as a “remarkable event” in the post-poll scenario of the state, the like-minded non-Congress political parties including Naga People’s Front (NPF) today convened a meeting at Hotel Imphal to discuss the matters of bogus voting and other irregularities found at the time of photo comparison of the recent assembly polls.
The meeting which started at 10 am lasted for about three hours. It was attended by the state leaders of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Communist Party-Marxist (CPM), National People’s Party (NPP), Manipur People’s Party (MPP) and Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP).
Addressing media persons after the meeting, state NCP president Radhabinod Koijam stated that the political parties have unanimously agreed to press the Election Commission of India to nullify the bogus votes instead of conducting re-polls. The Election Commission should also look into the matter of postal ballots and give a detailed report to all political parties by February 25, he demanded.
However, RB Koijam said that the meeting did not figure out anything on the formation of new coalition or government.
Advisor of NPF, Manipur Unit, PA Thekho stated that the NPF is ready to join the government with any like-minded party. However, he denied having nexus with the NSCN-IM stating that the party only gets support from the Naga bodies like UNC which have been working for the welfare of Naga people for many years.
It may be mentioned that mass discrepancies were discovered during photo comparison of various constituencies of both hill and valley regions. The mismatched photographs serve as clear evidences of impersonation at the time of voting.
Many political parties and political activists have been voicing for the revocation of discrepant polls instead of conducting re-poll. The Election Commission of India is yet to take a decision on the matter.
