IMPHAL, March 29: The Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Manipur Chapter has said that it will support Oinam Indira, the only woman candidate in the Inner Constituency seat.
This was stated in a press meet in the party office at RIMS Road, Nagamapal that after discussing for ten days the party has decided to support the independent and lone woman candidate.
Observing that Oinam Indira has the potential to fight for women issues, he said though the present government of India can’t pass the 33% reservation for women bill, CPI (ML) has a policy of providing 50 % reservation to empower women. So, the CPI (ML) extends support and encourages Oinam Indira.
Alleging that the INC and BJP are two faces of the same coin even though they accused each other of being communal, he said that CPI (ML) and their collision parties in the centre, the Democratic People Forum (All India People Progressive Front) is contesting in 140 Lok Sabha seats.
He said that if their collision party comes to power with non-Congress and BJP alliance in the centre the repeal of AFSPA will be the first priority. The special status bestowed by the Indian Constitution in Article 370 will make a return in the state.
The armed conflict in Manipur resulted from the Merger Agreement in 1949 that compelled the youths of the state to pick up arms for self-determination. We need a political dialogue where every state gets a republic status under the federalism structure which can be made only possible by CPI (ML).
Lamlalmoi Gangte, the CPI (ML) candidate for the outer seat criticised other aspiring candidates for the outer seat and their past lives. He accused the sitting INC MP Thangso Baite as ‘Parliament Observer’ for observing only the parliamentary process without doing anything for the cause of Tribal people. BJP’s Prof Gangmumei Kamei was lampooned as someone who had always praised NSCN (IM)’s Hebron in his speech in the past. People must always remember that he can’t forget Hebron which was responsible for the June 18 uprising.
“NCP candidate C Doungel has the experience of being a minister on many occasions. During his period, no developmental works in his own constituency were initiated than how can he bring development in whole hill districts. And he is too old for the job,” he said.
Asserting that Kim Gangte is first woman parliamentarian from the state who broke the rule of Parliament during a vote of confidence when she was the MP, he stresses that the mistake must not be repeated again.
He pointed out that in his manifesto he has mentioned the upgrade of Jiribam and Sadar Hills to full-fledged district. The people from the eight assembly constituency segments of Thoubal must be given the right to contest elections.
Clarifying that the initial approval given to him as an Independent candidate by returning officer of Outer Constituency, Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal Ranjit was due to some glitches in submission of form A and B, Lamlalmoi Gangte said that CPI (ML) has announced him as their outer candidate and campaign and other process etc were being undertaken in full swing.