Imphal, March 31, 2010: The Congress-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government is likely to under-go significant change in the distribution of portfolios to accommodate other Congress legislators in the coalition.

An informed source said inspite of strong possibility of ministry-reshuffle which is also related to stabilizing the Congress organization ahead of the next general elections, there is no question of replacing Okram Ibobi Singh as the Chief Minister for the time being.

Most probably at the latest the ministry reshuffling will be effected after the two phase Autonomous District council, the source informed while not ruling out possibility of the ministry reshuffling in the early part of April month to coincide with the arrival of North East in-charge of the All India Congress Committee L Falerio slated for April 7 or 8. It is informed that the Chief Minister had been besieged with pressure in the past few months from within the Congress Legislature party with certain senior legislators complaining to party's central leaders to replace O Ibobi Singh from the top post for his alleged patronage to non-performing Ministers.

Consequently, the Chief Minister during a recent visit to the national capital reportedly pacified dissenting Congress MLAs with the assurance to effect change in the SPF ministry following which the MLAs softened their stand against the CM.

Even then as O Ibobi's assurance is yet to be translated into action, the same set of agitated MLAs have started to lobby afresh with the Central leaders to drive home their point, the source disclosed.

It is also informed that apart from the pressure being felt by the CM, O Ibobi Singh himself had questioned efficiency of some of his ministerial colleagues and is of the firm opinion that change of guard is inevitable to ensure existence of a popular Government as well as reassert his position as a compatible leader.

Pointing out that apart from the resignation of Gaikhangam and reallocation of his charge (portfolio) to another Minister, the SPF Government mid-way on its second term in power is yet to witness ministry reshuffle, the source confided that the CM is determined to effect changes in such a way that internal dissension do not surface or kick up a storm.

The CM's keenness of ministry reshuffle could be comprehended from the comments made on the sideline of an inspection tour to Maphou Dam that reshuffling in the Council of Ministers may or may not take place.

According to political observers the CM's comments and taking into account the present political situation is an indication that changes will be effected.

Inspite of the rumble within the Congress set-up replacing the CM prior to the next general elections is out of the context, the source confided with the explanation that party's Central leaders would not want to risk upsetting the equilibrium.

Rather the Central leaders would prefer to opt for the wait and watch policy as mandate in the next general elections would be an indicator on the popularity of the Congress-led SPF Government, the source opined while hastening to add that Chief Minister O Ibobi's conduct and efficiency is being constantly monitored by the AICC leaders.

Even though the source declined to name the legislators whose days as Ministers have been numbered, it has been disclosed that the CM at an earlier occasion had assured Bijoy Koijam, T Mangibabu, I Hemochandra, Dr Budhichandra and Dr Loken among other MLAs of ministerial berths when reshuffle is affected.

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