BJP will win both Lok Sabha seats in Manipur: CM
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday claimed that the NDA government will return to power at the Centre and the BJP will win both the Lok Sabha seats in the state. He claimed that the people are with the BJP and it would be “impossible” to defeat the BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at a local shrine at Wangoi in Imphal West district for the success of the two BJP candidates- RK Ranjan (Inner seat) and Benjamin Mate (Outer seat), he claimed that most of the poll surveys predict that the NDA will return to power at the Centre. The chief minister said the full-fledged campaigning for the two BJP candidates in the state will be started after scrutiny. Scrutiny of nomination for the Outer Manipur seat is March 26 while that of Inner seat is March 27. Meanwhile, the BJP Inner Manipur seat candidate RK Ranjan said his main objective is to ensure that issues of the state reaches Centre and to address the problems faced by the youths. Election for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat will be held on April 11 while that for Inner Manipur seat will be on April 18. (PTI)
Arunachal govt plans events to encourage first time voters
Itanagar: With an aim to create awareness among the first time voters of the Itanagar Assembly constituency, the District Administration Capital Complex will organise series of events including Marathon. “We are organising a Marathon race to create awareness among the first time voters, from Chimpu to Indira Gandhi (IG) park on March 31,” said Himanshu Gupta, Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner cum Returning Officer (RO) of 13 Itanagar constituency. Gupta said besides that, famous personalities from the state will also be involved to encourage the first time voters to exercise their franchise. “People from here who are renowned personalities, will be involved to encourage the youth to exercise their franchise,” he added. In addition, Gupta said that debate competitions on topic on elections in Arunachal Pradesh will also be organised in colleges to encourage the youths. (UNI)
Cong names 53 candidates for Arunachal, 32 for Sikkim
New Delhi: The Congress has released a list of 53 candidates for Arunachal assembly elections and 32 candidates for Sikkim assembly elections. The list was cleared by the central election committee of the Congress and released by AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik. The list for Arunachal Pradesh includes names of former state Minister Atum Welly – who recently joined Congress – from Pake Kassang, former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh and sitting Congress MLA Nabam Tuki from Sagalee, CLP leader Takam Pari from Palin. Arunachal Pradesh has 60 Assembly and two Lok Sabha seats. It may be mentioned that Congress has earlier released the name of its two candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh – former chief minister Nabam Tuki for West Parliamentary seat and J L Wanglet for East Parliamentary seat. The party also released its complete list of 32 candidates for Sikkim assembly elections. Election to assembly polls in Arunchal and Sikkim are scheduled on April 11. (UNI)
NPF party not to field candidate for Nagaland Lok Sabha polls
Kohima: Nagaland opposition party Naga People Front (NPF) has decided not to set up a candidate for the ensuing Nagaland Lok Sabha election, scheduled to be held on April 11. According to NPF sources, the party was seriously considering the proposal of the Congress for the Lok Sabha candidate; however, no decision has been made so far. NPF legislature party spokesperson said whatever NPF decides, whether to set up a candidate or not, was not his lookout. NPF is all set to kick-start the by-election campaign for Toshipokba Longkumer at Ungma on March 29. The battled for the lone Lok Sabha seat will, be a straight fight between Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate Tokheho Yepthomi and Congress nominee, KL Chishi. Monday is the last date for filling of nominations and scrutiny of nomination will be held on Tuesday. (UNI)
Inquiry ordered against Congress candidate in Assam
Guwahati: An inquiry has been ordered against Congress candidate for Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency, Swarup Das, for alleged forgery of his caste certificate. The Karimganj seat is reserved for Scheduled Caste and will go to polls in the second phase on April 18. “A magisterial enquiry has been instituted to ascertain the caste certificate of Swarup Das, INC candidate for the HP1 Karimganj SC (reserved) constituency,” an official release said on Sunday. Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli constituted a two-member committee to determine the scheduled caste certificate of Das following a complaint from the President of Anusuchit Jati Mahasabha, Central Committee, Assam. “SDO (Sadar) Prodip Timung and Assistant Commissioner R L Changsan will probe into it and submit the report urgently to Deputy Commissioner Jalli,” the release said. Congress nominated new-comer Das for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections for the seat in Barak valley. (PTI)