Churachandpur duo pitch on valley votes

Churachandpur, March 29 : The Churachandpur duo that are vying for the sole reserv-ed Outer Parliamentary seat appear to be dependent on how well they could influence the votes in the eight Assembly segments in Thoubal and Jiribam.

The assertions of NCP nominee LB Sona and his Congress counterpart Thangso Baite, that the valley based votes will formulate their victory were confirmed during exclusive chats with The Sangai Express.

'Had I been awarded the Congress ticket, I would not have received such a huge support from parties across the State; I believe that I am destined for NCP.

The weight that all these parties carried along with them will be sufficient to make the differences,' Sona said apparently in reference to his expectations from the parties influence in the eight Assembly segments of Thoubal and Jiribam.

'Of the eight segments in Thoubal and Jiribam, seven were Congress strongho-lds.

That means as a Congress nominee I would have a good prospect there,' maintained Baite as well.

When lobbed with the doubt of winning, when two individuals from non-Naga communities contested the polls, Sona admitted that, Baite may robe him of 30% of his expected votes from the district.

But he doubts the latter's intention on seeking the peoples' mandate 'long after I (Sona) had ma-de my (his) intentions clear'.

Baite however maintains that he seeks the Congress ticket when Sona too seeks for the same, and days before Sona opted for the NCP tickets.

'Who's first, me or him,' he mulled.

Sona was defeated as the Chairman of Zomi Council some months back, but he is hesitant to say that he is planning to forsake his people - the same people he claimed he had opted to serve before the Congress party.

'It will only be a better plate-form to lead and serve my people,' he said when questioned why he now returns to state politics, which he had already left.

'Constituency (MLA) politics is entirely a different affair with MP politics,' replied Baite when asked why he considers himself hopeful at a time when he was already defeated as an MLA in Singngat AC.

NPP candidate T Hangkhanpao defeated the then Congress candidate and sitting MLA Thangso Baite in the last State Assembly election.

On their expectation from their own home turf that was alienated in two vote banks as Zomi and Kuki, Baite bravely said he would expect cent percent vote from the district while Sona assume to receive the backing of 70 to 80 percent.

Though Sona confesses to the fact that he had considered Mani Charenamei as his would be strongest contender, Baite refuse to comment on the query.

'It is still premature to comment on this,' he said.