Rebel MLAs return on confident note
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 08: After camping for about a month at Delhi to lobby with the AICC leadership to remove O Ibobi from the chair of Chief Minister, twelve dissident Congress MLAs returned to Imphal today riding a wave of confidence.

However just to make sure that there are no last minute hiccups, the rebels have decided to continue with their camp at Imphal too.

The twelve Congress rebel MLAs who landed at Tulihal airport on an Indigo flight today morning included I Hemochandra, Y Surchandra, M Hemanta, W Brajabidhu, Govindas Konthoujam, M Manindra, K Meghachandra, Bijoy Koijam, T Mangibabu, L Nandakumar, Kh Ratan Kumar and T Manga Vaiphei.

Rebel MLAs before boarding the bus outside the Tulihal airport on arrival from Delhi, Saturday

The 12 MLAs were received by a team led by Heirok Assembly Constituency MLA M Okendra and others at the airport.

The MLAs were whisked away by a canter from the airport to the official quarters of Uripok AC MLA L Nandakumar to continue with their camp at Lamphel.

Bijoy Koijam, who is being regarded as the 'camp commander' took extra pains to ensure that all the MLAs stayed together and reached the designated destination.

Bijoy Koijam is presently entrusted with the task of ensuring that no outside force interferes with the MLAs inside the camp and all the rebel MLAs are under his 'watch.' M Okendra returned to Imphal yesterday to be in time for the death anniversary of his late father, M Ibotombi.

However he has now joined the dissident camp and is staying put there.

On the other hand, Th Debendra, who has been projected as the leader by the dissident MLAs arrived at Imphal on a different flight from Kolkata along with Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya in the afternoon.

Under an understanding worked out earlier, Th Debendra is did not join the dissident camp here and straight away went to his official quarters.

MPCC president Gaikhangam, who is believed to have first raised the voice of dissent against the Chief Minister is expected to arrive at Imphal tomorrow.

The MPCC president deferred his return to Imphal by one day as he has to append his signature on the memorandum to be submitted by the delegates of all the political parties in connection with the Delimitation exercise.

Interacting with The Sangai Express at the dissidents camp, some of the rebel MLAs claimed that they have returned to Imphal with the blessings of the AICC high command.

Asserting that their mission will be fulfilled, the MLAs said that it is just a matter of some more time, before a change in leadership is effected.

Recalling their stay at Delhi, the dissidents said that apart from meeting the AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, they also met a number of other important Congress leaders.

In all the meetings, the law and order situation, the lack of development, absence of transparency etc were highlighted to the Central leaders in clear cut terms, the MLAs said.

"It was made very clear to the AICC leaders that removing O Ibobi from the post of the Chief Minister would be in the best interest of the Congress party and the SPF Government," asserted the MLAs.

The camp will continue until something concrete materialises, said the dissidents and added that they are waiting for the arrival of the AICC observer Prithiviraj Chauhan, who is expected to arrive here on December 11.Claiming that the strength of the rebel MLAs has increased to 21, the dissidents said that it would be in the fitness of things for the Chief Minister to step down in the interest of the people and the land.