CLP members give their opinion
Chauhan starts one to one meet with CLP members
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 11: AICC general secretary in charge of the North East and Union Minister of State in the PMO, Prithiviraj Chauhan who arrived at Imphal today to get a first hand account of the revolt raised by some dissident Congress MLAs against the leadership of O Ibobi has started meeting the CLP members individually to hear their opinion.

Chauhan who was deputed as an Observer by the AICC will submit his report on reaching Delhi.

Prithiviraj Chauhan arriving with Executive MPCC (I) member L Manglem (L) at Tulihal

As reported in the previous edition of this paper, Chauhan along with Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya and executive member of the MPCC (I) L Manglem landed at Tulihal airport today at 2 pm.

The team was received by a large number of Congress men including MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam, Ministers, MLAs, party workers and members of the Seva Dal.

On his arrival, Chauhan called on the Governor at Raj Bhawan along with Gaikhangam.

After a short break at Raj Bhawan, Chauhan then proceeded to RIMS to look into the development works being taken up there.

Later the Observer proceeded to the official residence of the Chief Minister where he met Congress MLAs loyal to the Chief Minister and Congress workers and discussed a number of issues including the law and order situation.

The drama then picked up at around 7 pm at Hotel Imphal, where the Central Observer started individually meeting the members of the CLP to seek their views and opinion on the present internal clash of the Congress.

During the one to one meeting with the CLP members, Chauhan asked the dissident MLAs to spell out the reason why Ibobi should be replaced and if so who is the man to replace him, informed a source while speaking to The Sangai Express this evening.

The dissident MLAs on their part informed Chauhan that out of the 31 Congress MLAs in the 60 member Assembly, 20 including five Ministers are against the leadership of O Ibobi, added the source.

A one line resolution demanding the removal of O Ibobi will be presented to Chauhan, said some of the dissident MLAs and added that they are positive of a good response from the AICC.

The Ministers and MLAs who are with the dissident group, as claimed by them, include Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra, FCS Minister Y Erabot, TD Minister DD Thaisii, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, MOBC Minister Allauddin, Govindas Konthoujam, M Oken, I Hemochandra, L Nandakumar, W Brajabidhu, T Mangibabu, Manga Vaiphei, Y Surchandra, M Hemanta, K Meghachandra, Gaikhangam, M Manindra, Dr Kh Ratan and Bijoy Koijam.

The Observer is scheduled to collectively meet the CLP members tomorrow at 9 am at Hotel Imphal.

Chauhan will also meet presidents and members of PCC, DCC and frontal organisations of the Congress to hear their opinion and views before he leaves for Delhi tomorrow.

Strategies will also be discussed to strengthen the Congress in the State, said the source further.