IMPHAL, March 24 - The Congress has finally named two new faces to retain the two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur � Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur.
The names of the new candidates of the party were officially released by the AICC late Saturday night. They are O Nabakishore, an ex-State chief secretary and K James, a government employee-turned-entrepreneur.
Meanwhile, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and former Chief Minister O Ibobi on Sunday handed over the official letters of nomination to the candidates during a gathering at the Congress Bhavan here this afternoon.
Briefing reporters, O Ibobi Singh reaffirmed the statement of AICC president Rahul Gandhi during his March 20 visit to the State that special status category of Manipur and the North East Industrial Policy will be revived, apart from taking steps to provide jobs to youths if the party comes to power.
Later, Gaikhangam said the Congress is broadly focusing on development and other key issues of the people of Manipur. Responding to a question, he said, �This time, the fight is not between the Congress and the BJP but between people and the BJP, as the people have realised what they have done.�
Nabakishore and James were selected out of 16 intending candidates, including sitting MP Dr Thokchom Meinya for the April-May Lok Sabha polls which is scheduled to be held in Manipur on April 11 and 18.
The other sitting MP, Thangso Baite, who represented Outer Manipur (ST) in Parliament, did not apply for a party ticket this time.
Speaking to reporters, K James said he will take up the issues of the weaker sections in the State as one of his priorities, while Nabakishore said his priorities include issues of citizenship rights in Manipur, education reforms and promotion of horticulture and trading activities.
