Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 06, 2010:
A senior Cabinet Minister in the secular Progressive Front Government has claimed that after the ongoing Union Budget session is over O Ibobi Singh will no longer remain as the Chief Minister of manipur in addition to reshuffle in the Congress-led SPF ministry.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Cabinet Minister pointed out that as anti Defection law is in place neither the number game nor reshuffling the Ministry to avoid being removed from the post of Chief Minister would be able to prolong Ibobi's stint.
Substantiating, the Minister recounted replacement of Rishang Keishing from the top post by (late) RK Jaichandra inspite of the latter commanding support of legislators at that time.
As a tradition of the Congress party decisions taken by the central leaders are honoured in all respect, the senior Minister expressed while disclosing that the AICC is strongly in favour of appointing FCS Minister Y Irabot as the next Chief Minister of Manipur.
Claiming that even in the Congress organisation hectic political parleys are on to effect change in the SPF leadership with an aim to put the State back on track, he said very soon people of Manipur would realise that trend of Ministry reshuffling ahead of change in leadership and practice of bailing out self from embarrassing position through money power are no more practicable.
It is said in connection with the fluid political situation in the State FCS Minister had been to the national capital from March 2 till 4, and returned here on March 5, the Cabinet Minister further said the CM has also returned back from Delhi.
The senior Minister further contended that recent incidents of recovering a damaged SLR from Irabot's residence, bomb and firing attacks and unidentified persons launching ambush with Irabot as the apparent target on his return from the Nungba residence of MPCC president Gaikhangam have already been noted by central leaders of the Congress organisation.
An internal investigation initiated by no other than the AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Congress working Committee member, along with other top AICC functionaries into the incidents is an important factor for the political development, the Minister mooted.
Further confiding that Y Irabot has been strongly advised by central party leaders to take all possible precautions while attending office and social functions, the senior Minister desired that central forces be provided for Irabot's security.
Revealing that there is disparity in the provision of security personnel to MLAs and Ministers, the Minister also posed under what criteria security coverage is being given to a contractor who is allegedly close to the CM.
Describing the State Home Department as dangerous, the Cabinet Minister said continued imposition of AFSPA is being exploited as the Government is unwilling to order judicial probe even when charges are made on fake killings by security forces.
He further maintained that recent decision of the Central Government to appoint Security Advisor for Manipur is to keep a close tab in the incidents of extra-judicial killings.