Security for Adanee beefed up CEO smells IM’s hand behind Mani

IMPHAL, Apr 15 : Even as the office of the State Chief Electoral Officer has written to the Election Commission of India that NSCN (IM) cadres may be involved in the election process by supporting PDA candidate Mani Charenamei, security cover for BJP candidate Loli Adanee has been beefed up following instructions from the Union Home Ministry.

Speaking to The Sangai Express a well placed source said that the office of the State Chief Electoral Officer has written to the Deputy Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India that IM cadres are likely to be involved in the election process by supporting Mani Charenamei in the Outer seat which goes to the polls tomorrow (April 16).

In the message despatched to the ECI, the Chief Electoral Officer said that the matter be taken up with the Union Home Ministry so that the same may be taken up with the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, said the source further.

On the other hand former MLA L Ibomcha Singh has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner accusing Mani Charenamei of violating Para 1 of the Model Code of Conduct by delivering provocative and inflammatory lectures during his election campaigns at different venues by harking on the Lim issue.

In the memorandum Ibomcha maintained that the alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States on the basis of religion, caste, community, race etc is ultra vires and illegal.

Simultaneously, the DC concerned in his inquiry report has stated that Mani Charenamei did not take any permission from the district administration to hold the election campaign at Synod Hall, Churachandpur on April 8.

A show cause notice has also been served on Charenamei for the speech he delivered during the campaign.

On the basis of the probe report submitted by the DC, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer is set to refer the matter to the Election Commission to take its own course of action.

Meanwhile the security cover for BJP candidate in the Outer, Loli Adanee has been beefed up following instructions from the Union Home Ministry, said the source.
Patrolling near the Senapati residence of Adanee has been intensified while the Assam Rifles has been put on high alert.

The source said that the Union Home Ministry issued the instructions following inputs that some armed groups are out to abduct a candidate in the Outer seat.

Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com

Regional parties obstruct development: PM

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New Delhi, April 15 (Agencies): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday described regionalism as well as regional parties an obstacle to growth, saying the country needs a political party with national perspective and a strong and stable government.

Meeting with the editors of newspapers and TV news channels in New Delhi, the Prime Minister further said communalism can destroy the country, adding that disaster awaits India if people are divided on the basis of religion. He also chose to take credit for ensuring no communal riots erupted post Mumbai terror attacks, unlike in the past when riots followed the Godhra carnage of 2002 and the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

While saying terrorism can spoil the investment climate in the country, Dr Singh expressed hope that the global economy will see a turnaround by September. He though conceded that if the world economy fails to tackle recession, it will impact India too.

On alliance with Left

Speaking on alliances, the Prime Minister said circumstances will decide whether the Congress decides to go with the Left again. He however, regretted parting ways with the Left parties, saying he was happy to work with them before they left the UPA in July last year. “An alliance with Left parties is possible only after the elections,” he said, adding “circumstances will decide if we go with the Left”.

Enough is enough

Targeting the BJP for its ‘personal remarks’ against him, the PM said distribution of roles between him and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were conducive for greater efficiency in the functioning of the government, adding such an arrangement has worked well. Asked why he kept quiet for so long despite repeated personal attack by BJP leader LK Advani, Dr Singh said he did not respond earlier because he had not been named Congress prime ministerial candidate.

“Enough is enough,” the PM said, adding he now owes it to himself as well as people of the country to show where the shoe pinches. Further, saying his remarks on Advani were well considered, the PM added any serious observer of the Indian politics will second his remarks as true. Talking about his career, Dr Singh said he has been a politician since 1991 when he was the Finance Minister. As regards his experience, the PM said he has dealt with the Left, RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav, SP’s Mulayam Singh Yadav, AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, the PDP, and had managed them well.

‘No talks with Pakistan’

New Delhi, April 15 (PTI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today ruled out resumption of talks with Pakistan as long as it allows terrorists to use its territory against India and does not show “sincerity” in bringing the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice. He also rejected as “not true” Islamabad contention that India has not provided sufficient evidence to Pakistan in connection with the 26/11 attacks.”The present situation is so long as Pakistan chooses to allow its territory to be used against India, no negotiation can take place.

“We are for engagement with Pakistan but Pakistan must prove its sincerity by bringing the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks to book,” he said in an interaction with members of the Editors Guild of India. On US suggestion that India should involve itself in its new Afghanistan-Pakistan policy, he said “we are worried about growth of terrorist elements both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. “If the international community and the US work to eliminate terror, in this we are willing to cooperate with them,” Singh said.