Imphal, March 01: With the Congress staking claim to form the next Government with the support of the CPI (4 MLAs) and RJD (3 MLAs), leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Okram Ibobi is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister tomorrow afternoon at Raj Bhawan.

A communique issued from the Governor's Secretariat today said that following the dissolution of the 8th Assembly yesterday, Chief Minister O Ibobi and the Council of Ministers submitted their resignations to the Governor.

The resignation was accepted, but the Governor has requested Ibobi and his Council of Ministers to continue in office till alternate arrangements are made.

A copy of the gazette notification, constituting the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly was submitted to the Governor's Secretariat, said the statement and added that the leader of the CLP, O Ibobi staked claim to form the next Government.

The CLP leader submitted a list of 36 MLAs including 29 Congress MLAs, four CPI MLAs and three RJD MLAs.

No other group has staked claim, added the statement.

To pave the way for the formation of the next Government, the Governor has appointed I Ibobi, leader of the CLP and Secular Progressive Front in the 9th Assembly as the Chief Minister.

The Governor has also asked Ibobi to submit the list of the new Council of Ministers.

Senior most MLA elect in the 9th Assembly has also been appointed by the Governor to administer the oath of office to the newly elected MLAs.

Earlier in the day today, the Steering Committee of the SPF met at the Chief Minister's conference hall to discuss the modalities of Government formation.

AICC leaders who have been camping at Imphal for Government formation, MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam, CLP leader O Ibobi, senior Congress leader Th Debendra, Phungzathang Tonsing, newly elected leader of the CPI Legislature Party Ph Parijat, Secretary of the State unit of CPI B Sharma and senior CPI leader Dr Nara attended the Steering Committee meeting.

The meeting agreed that the SPF partnership will continue in the next Government.

Significantly, during the meeting of the Steering Committee held yesterday evening, it was agreed that the consent of the high command of the two SPF partners will be sought before any final decision is taken for the two parties to strike a partnership.

Minute discussions were held in connection with Government formation as well as the modalities on which the political partners will work in the coalition Government.

After the meeting, members of the Steering Committee proceeded to Raj Bhawan and submitted a list of 36 MLAs to the Governor to pave the way for the formation of the next Government.

The State unit president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, former Chief Minister W Nipamacha today submitted a written statement to the Governor declaring the support of his party to the SPF Government.

A copy of the declaration was also submitted to the MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam.