Imphal, November 24: Having already met Defence Minister AK Anthony, the dissident Congress MLAs who have been camping at Delhi called on the AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil apart from a session with Manipur Governor Dr SS Sidhu.

Apprising the Central leaders on the persisting political impasse within the CLP, the rebel MLAs have intensified their campaign to remove O Ibobi from the post of Chief Ministership.

According to information received from the dissident side, the rebel MLAs numbering 15, led by MPCC president Gaikhangam called on Sonia Gandhi today and insisted on replacing O Ibobi with another leader as Chief Minister of Manipur.

Even though the rebel MLAs did not name any particular MLA to replace the Chief Minister during the meeting, the dissident camp has earlier projected senior Congress leader and present Law Minister Thoudam Debendra to succeed O Ibobi as Chief Minister of Manipur.

Talking one to one with Sonia Gandhi for about 30 minutes, Gaikhangam reportedly said that the SPF Government led by O Ibobi is unable to face the problem of militancy and has failed in all aspects of administration thereby severely eroding credibility of Congress party in the State.

Considering the unfolding political scenario, it is essential to remove O Ibobi from the post of Chief Minister, Gaikhangam insisted.

After that, the rebel MLAs called on Home Minister Shivraj Patil at his official residence at around noon.

They gave detail report of the failure in administration and the deteriorating law and order situation in the State.

They appealed to the Union Home Minister to make necessary political moves so as to redress plight of Manipuri people who the rebels claimed have been enduring a tense and insecure situation under the SPF Government led by O Ibobi.

They also urged upon Shivraj Patil to make a thorough review of the prevailing security situation in Manipur, conveyed the dissident camp.

Later, the MLAs met Dr Sidhu at Manipur Bhavan during which the Governor was briefed at length of the political movement against O Ibobi.

The dissident camp further conveyed that AICC Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has assured to send a party observer to Imphal very soon to study directly the political impasse within the CLP which has been continuing for more than 20 days.

Meanwhile it is reported that six District Congress Committee presidents who earlier submitted a representation to AICC authority against removal of O Ibobi from Chief Ministership have written to the AICC together with 13 other DCC presidents seeking to withdraw their statements.

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