Imphal, June 02: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has categorically stated that coalition partnership with CPI will continue if even the Congress wins and manages to get a simple majority after the by-election to the Khundrakpam and the Khangabok ACs. �To go along while we do not have the required number and then to them cast out when we have the number would be the most inappropriate thing to do,� the Chief Minister, said adding, �We don�t want to damage the long tradition of coalition partnership with the CPI.� While talking to mediapersons after coming out from exercising his franchise at Khangabok AC today, the Chief Minister said Congress has full confidence of winning both the seats of Khundrakpam and Khangabok Assembly Constituencies. Replying to a question on the delayed Ministry expansion of the Government formed in March this year, the Chief Minister said there is no question of waiting for the Congress candidates to emerge victorious in the by-elections to effect the Ministry expansion. �Leaving aside the question of winning or failure of the Congress candidates in the by-election, the Ministry expansion would be effected definitely after the results of the by-elections are announced,� the Chief Minister assured. He observed that in a Council of Ministers having only 12 Ministers, assigning 2/3 portfolios to each Ministers is really cumbersome and hamper the pace of development. Giving his own opinion in this regard, Ibobi said he feels that it would be proper to increase the size of the Ministry to 15 or 16. When asked whether there is any chance of allotting the reserved seat for women during Ministry expansion to Okram Landhoni, his wife, who is contesting as the Congress candidate in the by-poll at Khangabok A/C if she gets elected , the Chief Minister said there is no such arrangement. Moreover, there has also been no Constitutional amendment in this regard.

So once the results of the by-election are announced, necessary measures would be taken up in consultation with all concerned, he added. On the proposal of construction of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), the Chief Minister said besides Kiyamgei, some probable sites including Lilong Arapti Lamkhai have been inspected. People of the area have expressed their desire for setting up the proposed NIT at Arapti Lamkhai, however the most suitable site which would be beneficial to all is the Kiyamgei Loukon, he maintained. Hitting back at those who have opposed the move being made by the Government to set up NIT at Kiyamgei Loukon, the Chief Minister said just as the people have expressed its resentment, the Government also has its reservations against the activities of the people. �They have been keeping quiet to the construction of the houses and other private buildings on the agricultural land located near Kiyamgei Loukon on either sides of the National Highway 39, yet only when the Government takes up steps for construction they are raising a hue and cry over the whole issue.

This is really unfortunate,� he said, adding that the Government is still considering other possible sites apart from Kiyamgei Loukon for the proposed NIT. On the issue of shifting Bal Bhavan from its present location, the Chief Minister assured that the Government would surely relocate it in Imphal area for the sake of the children. He said if the construction of the Capital Project is completed by March 2008, Assembly Secretariat and the Imphal Municipal Council would be shifted there and the Government would take up necessary measures for relocating the Indira Park and the Bal Bhavan at the present location of the Assembly Secretariat and the IMC respectively.

Chief Minister O Ibobi and his wife Landhoni cast their votes at polling station no.35/28 Athokpam Primary School at around 7.15 am today. Talking to mediapersons after casting her vote, Landhoni Devi, who struck a confident pose of grabbing the Khangabok seat said � if I win the election I would work wholeheartedly for the welfare of the deprived women in consulting with the various women�s bodies of the State�. The voter turn out in the khangabok by-election which began from 7 am was very high.

By 11 am, 26 percent of the electorates have cast their votes. Adequate security forces have been deployed in all the polling stations to help in ensuring smooth conduct of the by-poll.

Comment