Imphal, Feb. 21: Both the ruling and the Opposition coalitions of Manipur are finding it difficult to reach a consensus regarding the candidature of the two Lok Sabha seats in the state.

The CPI, the partner in the ruling coalition, has decided to field Moirangthem Nara Singh, the arts and culture minister in the Okram Ibobi Singh ministry, in the Inner Lok Sabha constituency as the party candidate.

The Congress, leading the ruling front is unwilling to sacrifice the Inner seat to its partner and has already sent a list of ticket seekers from both the Inner and Outer seats to the AICC high command.

The CPI has suggested that its partner should extend support to its candidate in the Inner seat as the CPI is willing to support the Congress candidate in the Outer.

The Manipur State Congress Party, which is supporting the SPF from outside with two legislators, appealed to all the constituent members of the Secular Progressive Front to put up common candidates in both the seats. The scenario is similar with the Opposition combine Democratic Peoples Alliance. All the three major partners — the Federal Party of Manipur, the BJP and the Manipur Peoples Party have already announced their candidates.

While the BJP, which is leading the alliance, said it would contest both seats, the other two partners have requested their allies to accept their own candidates as the common contestant.

If the BJP and SPF continue to stick to their guns, the partners could come to an agreement to having friendly contests in both the seats.

House attacked

Unidentified gunmen attacked the residence of rural development and panchayati raj minister Nameirakpam Loken Singh late last night. No one was injured in the attack.

An official source said today five or six gunmen fired at the minister’s house in Nambol Leimapokpam in Bishenpur district. The gunmen called all the family members outside. They then locked the house and fired several rounds before leaving.

Loken, who stays at his official residence in Imphal, rushed home. The identity and motive of the attackers could not be established, police said. Loken is the fourth minister whose house has been attacked by unidentified persons in the past 10 days.