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Delhi, March 3 (Agencies): With the Election Commission officially blowing the poll bugle on Monday, the North-East, which accounts for 24 seats in the Lok Sabha, is geared up to go to the general elections. Barring Assam and Manipur, the rest of the five states will have single-phase polling.
Of the 14 seats in Assam, three constituencies Karimganj, Silchar and Autonomous District will go to the polls in the first phase on April 16, while the electorate in the remaining 11 seats will exercise their franchise on April 23 the second phase.
The other states that will go to the first phase of polling are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Polling will be held in two seats of Tripura seats on April 23. Manipur, which has two seats, also goes to the polls in two phases. While the tribal dominated Outer Manipur (ST) seat will have voting in the first phase on April 16, the Inner Manipur will go to the polls on April 22. The date for Inner Manipur election was advanced by a day as the state observes April 23 as Khongjom Day in memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, which is also known as the state's last war of independence.
The BJP and AGP have signed a poll pact for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the state. But the two parties are yet to thrash out their differences over the prestigious Guwahati constituency. Asked if the delay in settlement of the seat would send a wrong signal to the electorate, Deka said, "We will resolve all differences on March 7. I don't think the issue of Guwahati seat will come in the way of the understanding between us and the BJP."
A senior Congress leader, who did not want to be quoted, also expressed reservation on the timing. "As the matter is delicate, we need to discuss first with the chief minister," he said, adding that the party had blown the poll bugle much earlier. On the other hand, the four party alliance of anti-Congress and anti-BJP parties said constituents of the formation were still intact even as CPM and AUDF decided to field their own candidates.
NCP leader Akhay Rajkhowa, who will be contest from Guwahati, said even if one out of two "differing" parties (CPM and AUDF) stayed out of the alliance, "The number of constituents will remain four with Rabi Ram Narzary's BPPF joining the bloc." NCP and CPI are the two other constituents of the alliance.
Barring Assam, the Lok Sabha elections in the region usually evoke a lot of enthusiasm as the rest of the states account for only 10 seats. While Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh have two seats each, Nagaland and Mizoram have a member each in the Lok Sabha. But the picture had changed since the 1990s when the country started entering into an era of coalition politics. These states, despite their small size, started getting "some semblance of importance" in the national political arena.
Whenever there is a trust vote in Lok Sabha, MPs, particularly those belonging to smaller regional parties, are most sought after by those in power in New Delhi. In the trust vote on Indo-US nuclear deal, Nagaland's MP belonging to the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) and Mizoram's lone MP from Mizo National Front (MNF) had played a crucial role.
Assam parties angry over poll during Bihu
Guwahati, March 3 (Agencies): Major political parties in Assam are angry with the schedule of the two-phased parliamentary election announced for the state as it coincides with Bohag Bihu, the Assamese New Year, and will appeal to the Election Commission (EC) later Tuesday to review the poll dates. Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami Monday announced the schedule for Lok Sabha elections in the country with the two-phased polls in Assam scheduled for April 16 and April 23.
"The two dates are simply not acceptable to us as it is the time for Bohag Bihu festivities in Assam. We shall formally appeal the EC for a review of the dates," Chandra Mohan Patowary, president of Assam's main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), told IANS. The Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF), another major opposition party in Assam, too opposed the poll dates.
"We are equally unhappy over the poll schedule as it would greatly inconvenience the people of Assam due to the Bihu," said Hafiz Rashid Choudhury, working president of the AUDF. The Bohag Bihu on April 14 is the biggest festival in Assam with the festivities continuing for about a week. "During our meetings with the EC in February, we categorically suggested that poll dates in Assam should be either before or well after the Bihu. We don't know why the EC did not take into account the sentiments of the people of Assam," the AUDF leader said.
The AGP is trying to mobilise a consensus on the poll schedule with other political parties and jointly appeal to the EC for a change in the dates. "I am sure on this issue for a review of the election schedule all political parties cutting across party lines would support us. Let all the parties jointly appeal the EC," the AGP president said. Three parliamentary constituencies go to the polls April 16, while voting in the remaining 11 seats are scheduled for April 23 in the second phase. The ruling Congress party is equally upset about the schedule, although it has not made its stand public.
Poll security: Meghalaya seeks Assam's help
Shillong, March 3 (PTI): Meghalaya will seek Assam's cooperation for smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections in the inter-State border areas following some disruptions during polling in the bordering Umroi assembly seat last week due to the Army's counter-insurgency operations. State Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Naik said Meghalaya and Assam should have better coordination for smooth conduct of LS elections, particularly in the inter-State border areas.
"Meghalaya would write to Assam on the issue," he said. Polling was disturbed 'partially' in at least four villages in the Assam-Meghalaya border during the Umroi by-polls on February 26 due to the counter insurgency operations by the Army there. "The matter was immediately sorted out and people were able to vote, albeit after some delay," the CEO said, adding that deployment of security personnel in sensitive areas would be decided after the announcement of candidates.
Polls for the Shillong and Tura Parliamentary seats of Meghalaya would be held on April 16. A total of 12,77,012 are eligible to exercise their franchise for the two reserved (ST) LS seats. The election expenditure in the State would come to around Rs 13 crore, he said.
Left Front announces candidates in Tripura
Agartala , March 3 (PTI): The two sitting MPs of ruling Left Front in Tripura - Khagen Das and Bajuban Reang will contest from West Tripura and East Tripura(ST) seats respectively in the coming parliamentary elections. CPI-M state party secretary Bijan Dhar told a press conference here today that the decision on the candidates was taken in the just concluded meeting of the Left Front.The leaders of the other constituents of the front were also present in the press conference.
CPI-M, he said, shared Chief Minister Manik Sarkar view that the general election in the state, slated on April 23 should be deferred. Sarkar had told the assembly earlier in the day that the government would take up with the Election Commission the deferment of the election in Tripura in view of some important examinations and the' Garia puja', a 7-day tribal festival beginning from April 21.
However, he did not mention the preferred date for holding polls in the state.
MNF may boycott LS polls over EVM issue
Aizawl, March 3 (PTI): The opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) might boycott the April 16 Lok Sabha elections in Mizoram if electronic voting machines were used by the Election Commission, MNF sources said on Tuesday. MNF Secretary R Vanlalruata said that the former Chief Minister and party president Zoramthanga had earlier made a statement that the Front would boycott the general elections if EVMs, ‘which are liable to be tampered and manipulated’, are used in the polls.
"The final decision on the issue would be made on Tuesday at the party executive committee meeting," Vanlalruata said. The issue of forming a common front with other political parties like the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) led by the former Chief Minister Brig T Sailo and the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) led by Lalduhoma would also be deliberated at the meeting. Meanwhile, Chief Minister and PCC chief Lal Thanhawla on Tuesday left for Delhi to hold a meeting with the Planning Commission to fix the state's plan outlay for the 2009-2010. Sources said that Lal Thanhawla is likely to meet AICC leaders to choose a candidate for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the State.
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Of the 14 seats in Assam, three constituencies Karimganj, Silchar and Autonomous District will go to the polls in the first phase on April 16, while the electorate in the remaining 11 seats will exercise their franchise on April 23 the second phase.
The other states that will go to the first phase of polling are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Polling will be held in two seats of Tripura seats on April 23. Manipur, which has two seats, also goes to the polls in two phases. While the tribal dominated Outer Manipur (ST) seat will have voting in the first phase on April 16, the Inner Manipur will go to the polls on April 22. The date for Inner Manipur election was advanced by a day as the state observes April 23 as Khongjom Day in memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, which is also known as the state's last war of independence.
The BJP and AGP have signed a poll pact for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the state. But the two parties are yet to thrash out their differences over the prestigious Guwahati constituency. Asked if the delay in settlement of the seat would send a wrong signal to the electorate, Deka said, "We will resolve all differences on March 7. I don't think the issue of Guwahati seat will come in the way of the understanding between us and the BJP."
A senior Congress leader, who did not want to be quoted, also expressed reservation on the timing. "As the matter is delicate, we need to discuss first with the chief minister," he said, adding that the party had blown the poll bugle much earlier. On the other hand, the four party alliance of anti-Congress and anti-BJP parties said constituents of the formation were still intact even as CPM and AUDF decided to field their own candidates.
NCP leader Akhay Rajkhowa, who will be contest from Guwahati, said even if one out of two "differing" parties (CPM and AUDF) stayed out of the alliance, "The number of constituents will remain four with Rabi Ram Narzary's BPPF joining the bloc." NCP and CPI are the two other constituents of the alliance.
Barring Assam, the Lok Sabha elections in the region usually evoke a lot of enthusiasm as the rest of the states account for only 10 seats. While Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh have two seats each, Nagaland and Mizoram have a member each in the Lok Sabha. But the picture had changed since the 1990s when the country started entering into an era of coalition politics. These states, despite their small size, started getting "some semblance of importance" in the national political arena.
Whenever there is a trust vote in Lok Sabha, MPs, particularly those belonging to smaller regional parties, are most sought after by those in power in New Delhi. In the trust vote on Indo-US nuclear deal, Nagaland's MP belonging to the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) and Mizoram's lone MP from Mizo National Front (MNF) had played a crucial role.
Assam parties angry over poll during Bihu
Guwahati, March 3 (Agencies): Major political parties in Assam are angry with the schedule of the two-phased parliamentary election announced for the state as it coincides with Bohag Bihu, the Assamese New Year, and will appeal to the Election Commission (EC) later Tuesday to review the poll dates. Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami Monday announced the schedule for Lok Sabha elections in the country with the two-phased polls in Assam scheduled for April 16 and April 23.
"The two dates are simply not acceptable to us as it is the time for Bohag Bihu festivities in Assam. We shall formally appeal the EC for a review of the dates," Chandra Mohan Patowary, president of Assam's main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), told IANS. The Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF), another major opposition party in Assam, too opposed the poll dates.
"We are equally unhappy over the poll schedule as it would greatly inconvenience the people of Assam due to the Bihu," said Hafiz Rashid Choudhury, working president of the AUDF. The Bohag Bihu on April 14 is the biggest festival in Assam with the festivities continuing for about a week. "During our meetings with the EC in February, we categorically suggested that poll dates in Assam should be either before or well after the Bihu. We don't know why the EC did not take into account the sentiments of the people of Assam," the AUDF leader said.
The AGP is trying to mobilise a consensus on the poll schedule with other political parties and jointly appeal to the EC for a change in the dates. "I am sure on this issue for a review of the election schedule all political parties cutting across party lines would support us. Let all the parties jointly appeal the EC," the AGP president said. Three parliamentary constituencies go to the polls April 16, while voting in the remaining 11 seats are scheduled for April 23 in the second phase. The ruling Congress party is equally upset about the schedule, although it has not made its stand public.
Poll security: Meghalaya seeks Assam's help
Shillong, March 3 (PTI): Meghalaya will seek Assam's cooperation for smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections in the inter-State border areas following some disruptions during polling in the bordering Umroi assembly seat last week due to the Army's counter-insurgency operations. State Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Naik said Meghalaya and Assam should have better coordination for smooth conduct of LS elections, particularly in the inter-State border areas.
"Meghalaya would write to Assam on the issue," he said. Polling was disturbed 'partially' in at least four villages in the Assam-Meghalaya border during the Umroi by-polls on February 26 due to the counter insurgency operations by the Army there. "The matter was immediately sorted out and people were able to vote, albeit after some delay," the CEO said, adding that deployment of security personnel in sensitive areas would be decided after the announcement of candidates.
Polls for the Shillong and Tura Parliamentary seats of Meghalaya would be held on April 16. A total of 12,77,012 are eligible to exercise their franchise for the two reserved (ST) LS seats. The election expenditure in the State would come to around Rs 13 crore, he said.
Left Front announces candidates in Tripura
Agartala , March 3 (PTI): The two sitting MPs of ruling Left Front in Tripura - Khagen Das and Bajuban Reang will contest from West Tripura and East Tripura(ST) seats respectively in the coming parliamentary elections. CPI-M state party secretary Bijan Dhar told a press conference here today that the decision on the candidates was taken in the just concluded meeting of the Left Front.The leaders of the other constituents of the front were also present in the press conference.
CPI-M, he said, shared Chief Minister Manik Sarkar view that the general election in the state, slated on April 23 should be deferred. Sarkar had told the assembly earlier in the day that the government would take up with the Election Commission the deferment of the election in Tripura in view of some important examinations and the' Garia puja', a 7-day tribal festival beginning from April 21.
However, he did not mention the preferred date for holding polls in the state.
MNF may boycott LS polls over EVM issue
Aizawl, March 3 (PTI): The opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) might boycott the April 16 Lok Sabha elections in Mizoram if electronic voting machines were used by the Election Commission, MNF sources said on Tuesday. MNF Secretary R Vanlalruata said that the former Chief Minister and party president Zoramthanga had earlier made a statement that the Front would boycott the general elections if EVMs, ‘which are liable to be tampered and manipulated’, are used in the polls.
"The final decision on the issue would be made on Tuesday at the party executive committee meeting," Vanlalruata said. The issue of forming a common front with other political parties like the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) led by the former Chief Minister Brig T Sailo and the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) led by Lalduhoma would also be deliberated at the meeting. Meanwhile, Chief Minister and PCC chief Lal Thanhawla on Tuesday left for Delhi to hold a meeting with the Planning Commission to fix the state's plan outlay for the 2009-2010. Sources said that Lal Thanhawla is likely to meet AICC leaders to choose a candidate for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the State.
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