IMPHAL, May 4 � Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam today said that the party has decided not to contest from all the 144 seats in the coming ADC election due to the threat from NSCN(IM).
He announced that the party will field 130 candidates only for the ADC election which will be held on June 1.
The announcement was made at the Congress Bhawan here in the presence of ADC Election in-charge MLA Victor Keishing, MPCC general secretary Bidyapati Senjam and other leaders. Gaikhangam condemned the threat and termed it as highly unfortunate as it deprives the hill people from their voting rights.
Gaikhangam asserted that the NSCN(IM) has threatened the Congress in particular may be due to the strong stand that the party has been taking to protect the territorial integrity and boundary of Manipur. Out of the six ADCs, Congress will win absolute majority in four ADCs for sure, he predicted.
BJP Manipur Pradesh had yesterday announced that it will contest 130 seats, thereby equalling the number of seats to be contested by MPCC. JD (U) had announced five candidates so far, and Naga People�s Front has also announced its list of 78 candidates.
