Imphal: Dodging various distractions following the announcement of candidates by the Central Election Committee of the party, Bharatiya Janata Party state unit president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi claimed that her party would get an absolute majority by winning over 40 seats in the coming 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
Speaking to The North East Affairs, A Sharda said the party would soon start a full election campaign under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh. The BJP Chief also revealed that there is no discussion at all on who will be the next chief minister as the State already has one chief minister.
Peace and development are prerequisites for overall growth in the state and, therefore, the party and the government will continue to work for peace and development, Sharda said.
Regarding the one-time announcement of all 60 Assembly seats, the BJP chief said the party, runs on certain principles and ideology and doesn’t believe in selling tickets. This move shows faithfulness and integrity and, is probably the first time in history that such an announcement was made, she contended. Sharda also said that the selection of candidates was based on various factors and criteria, including opinion polls among the workers of the constituency and inputs given by different karyakartas, and above all, the election committee of the party had a thorough discussion about all intending candidates.
Despite over 380 aspirant candidates vying for the party tickets, only a few women could make it, she disclosed. However, she said this is because of the fact that women’s participation in the electoral politics in Manipur is very small and hasn’t been encouraged by everyone. This is not a good sign for equal opportunity and equality, she lamented.
Therefore, she said, she would insist on ‘marriage registration’ in the manifesto, which is likely to be announced soon.
