On the factors that contributed to the Congress win:
There are many factors that led the Congress to the third consecutive term. In the 2002 elections, the Congress had promised the people of Manipur a stable government. People had wanted a stable government at that time.
During the first term, the Congress could fulfil its commitment and people realised that the Congress meant business and started reposing their faith in it.
In the second term, people could see lots of changes on the development front in the state and people now know that Congress is the only party that is suited to the soil of Manipur and that it is the only party that can deliver the goods.
Other parties do not have foundations and roots like the Congress. So people gave the clear mandate to the Congress.
On whether the Congress will invite Trinamul Congress to be a partner in the government:
Now we have won absolute majority. The Congress alone can form the government on its own. So I don’t think there is any need to invite other parties for formation of the government. No, we will not invite the Trinamul Congress or any other party to the next government.
On the question of leadership of the Congress Legislature Party:
There will not be any problem in choosing the leadership. The newly elected members will choose their leader democratically. The Congress being a democratic party, individual MLAs will make their own choices of leadership freely and democratically.
However, the election of the leader may take a little more time, as all the newly elected members could not be here today in Imphal.
There will be a reception for the newly elected members at the party office here tomorrow. They are now busy getting certificates and some of them stay in their constituencies in the hills. Once they could come down to Imphal, we will elect the leader.
On the priority of the next government in the third term:
The first priority will be on development front and improving the living standards of the people in both the hills and valley. We will work for acceleration of the development activities in the state. The second on the priority list is bringing lasting peace to the state. Another important issue is safeguarding territorial integrity of Manipur and also emotional integration of all the communities living in the state.