Imphal, September 19, 2009: Heated exchange of words over the alleged overlooking of the MLAs by the Ministers in the SPF Government with regard to implementation of development schemes and projects dominated a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today.

It is informed that some of the disgruntled Congress MLAs raised demand for reshuffling of the Council of Ministers at the meeting.

After the meeting, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh rushed to the Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor.

What transpired at the meeting between the heads of the State could not be ascertained.

Presided over by O Ibobi Singh, who is also the leader of CLP, the meeting held in the conference hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat was convened at 9 am today and lasted about 5 hours.

During the course of the discussion on the issue related to alleged overlooking of the MLAs by the Ministers in connection with implementation of welfare schemes and projects, the MLAs charged the Ministers with working at their own sweet will and fancy.

This led to a heated argument between the Ministers and the disgruntled MLAs who demanded that the Chief Minister reshuffle the Council of Ministers.

Talking to The Sangai Express, some of the MLAs who had attended the meeting, observed that failure of consulting the local MLAs at the time of taking up developmental works by those who became Ministers in the second term of SPF Government has led to various problems.

Consultation and co-operation with the local MLAs is essential not only for proper monitoring of the works but also in ensuring that the benefits reach the people, they said, while contending that if it is desirable then the Council of Ministers should be reshuffled.

The meeting of the CLP had also deliberated on the prevailing situation in the State as a result of the agitation being launched by various voluntary organisations and the members shared their opinions on bringing about a peaceful solution to put an end to the present deadlock.

Taking serious note of the current class boycott call given by some student bodies thereby affecting the process of imparting education in schools and colleges, the meeting discussed steps to be taken up with the support of the public so that the academic career of the students do not suffer.

While taking up the issue related to putting a check on misuse of mobile pre-paid SIM cards that has become one of the root causes of law and order problem in the State, the members also drew attention of the Chief Minister to the need of changing security personnel deployed at the Secretariat frequently and keeping them on alert mode in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

The meeting also took serious note of the bomb fitted car which was found inside the Raj Bhavan complex yesterday and stressed on the need for strengthening the existing intelligence network and ensuring proper functioning of the police stations by increasing the strength of police personnel deployed.

Suggesting conduct of the CLP meeting two to three times in a year instead of just once a year, the members present also expressed favour on increasing the amount of Rs 40 lakhs being allotted to MLAs as their Local Area Development Fund.

The CM also gave necessary instructions to the Ministers concerned to improve condition of power and water supply.

After the meeting was over, at around 4 pm, O Ibobi Singh rushed to the Raj Bhavan and met Governor Gurbachan Jagat.

Though there is no official report on what transpired at the meeting, it is expected that recovery of a bomb-fitted car inside the Raj Bhavan, ongoing public agitation and the prevailing law and order situation may have been covered.

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