MSCP factions still undecided on by-election candidature

IMPHAL, April 15: The Manipur State Congress Party-Nipamacha group is unlikely to field a candidate for the by-election of Kshetrigao assembly constituency to be held on May 11. On the other hand, the Chaoba-led MSCP group will discuss whether the group will put up a party candidate or not after hearing the verdict of the Election Commission of India to be delivered on April 17 with regard to the factional dispute in the MSCP. While talking to this newspaper, the Union Minister of State for Food Processing, T Chaoba yesterday said that since there was enough time for filing the nomination papers, he saw no reason why he should act in a hurry. The party will properly weigh the pros and cons before taking a decision, he had said. Meanwhile, the other faction of MSCP today held a meeting at the quarter of the former Chief Minister W Nipamacha presided over by himself. A five-member assessment committee was reportedly set up during the meeting. The committee will submit a report according to which a decision will be taken whether or not the group will field its own candidate. Meanwhile reliable reports say that the Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam had written a letter to the former Chief Minister requesting the latter to not to field any candidate of the party.