Dr Meinya gets MoS in UPA ministry
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 23 2009: Twice elected MP of Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Dr Thokchom Meinya is to be sworn in as a Minister of State in the second expansion of the Dr Manmohan Singh led UPA Government at the Centre on May 26 .

With completion in formation of the Council of Ministers of the Congress led Government at the Centre, some of the Ministers in the CLP here are likely to be reshuffled along with portfolios after dropping CPI from being the partner of the SPF Govt in the State.

Thangso Baite (standing left), Dr T Meinya (3rd frm right) and Gaikhangam (right) with Sonia Gandhi

According to information received by the press, Dr Meinya is to be inducted as a Minister of State into the UPA Cabinet after consideration of various factors like his election to the Parliament for the second term while the other MPs elected from North East region being freshmen, his regular attendance in the Parliament sessions, inclusion of his name in the good book of Parliament, being member of many Parliamentary Committees and his performance in these Committee.

Moreover, at the time of proposing Dr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister for the second time in the recent meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), Dr Meinya had also seconded the proposal, the source said, adding that among the prominent MPs who have put pressures on AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to induct Dr Meinya, Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur and veteran Congressman Rishang Keishing too had played a significant role.

MPCC president Gaikhangam who had been to Delhi to take part in the swearing in ceremony of Dr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister arrived at Imphal today.

Chief Minister O Ibobi who had also participated in the ceremony is expected to return tomorrow.

Meanwhile, back home, along with completion in formation of the Dr Manmohan Singh led Council of Ministers at the Centre, steps have been taken up to drop CPI from being a partner of the SPF Government so as to pave way for a Congress Government in the State.

Congress party has 31 MLAs in the 60-member State Assembly.

There is also the possibility of a complete reshuffling in the portfolios of the Ministers in the Ibobi Singh led Council of Ministers along with inducting some new faces thus necessitating a couple of Ministers to be shown the door after assessment of their performance, sources said.

Dr S Budhichandra, who is the Speaker in the Manipur Legislative Assembly has in no uncertain term shown interest in holding the post and exerted pressure on his induction as a Minister, the source added.