Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 29 2009:
MLAs of Congress have once again started making a clamour for ousting CPI from the SPF Government and reshuffling the present ministry led by Chief Minister O Ibobi.
Reliable sources said, even if the CPI and the Congress part ways, the vacant ministerial berth will be only one.
However, MLAs who are demanding ministerial berths are many.
Therefore, at least two Ministers of the ruling Congress party may be replaced, the sources said.
Now that the budget session of the Assembly is over, Congress MLAs have started lobbying with the Chief Minister.
Among those MLAs whose names are being mentioned are President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee Gaikhangam, MLA of Thongju Constituency Bijoy Koijam, MLA of Thanga Constituency T Mangibabu, MLA of Singjamei Constituency I Hemochandra and Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr Sapam Budhichandra.
As for Dr Budhichandra, the sources said, since the post of Deputy Speaker remains vacant, it will be difficult for the Speaker to be inducted in the Council of Ministers in case the much anxiously awaited reshuffle comes about as the Speaker's post will be vacant.
Therefore, Dr Budhichandra's case remains some what remote.
On the other hand, if Gaikhangam is to be inducted as a Minister, one of the Ministers from the hills has to be removed.
As such, the possibility of dropping one Minister from the hills remains quite strong.
Once Gaikhangam has been sworn in as a Minister, the presidentship of MPCC is very likely to be given to E Dwijamani, the sources said.
Not only replacing some Ministers, reshuffle of the portfolios is also likely.