Difference of opinion between Ibobi & Gaikhangam
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 21 2012: After expansion of the Congress Government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh along with induction of three Cabinet Ministers, difference of opinion between Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Home Minister Gaikhangam, who is also still the President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has come to the fore over induction of remaining eight Ministers.

According to a reliable source, a joint meeting attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and MPCC President Gaikhangam was held along with AICC leaders at Delhi yesterday to discuss issues related to long pending Ministry expansion.

During the meeting, Gaikhangam raised strong objection to the list of probable Ministers prepared and tabled by Ibobi.

However, as AICC leaders did not say anything taking into consideration of the discretionary power of a Chief Minister on Ministry expansion or induction of any Ministers, Gaikhangam felt jilted and swiftly returned to Imphal yesterday itself.

However, to assuage his hurt sentiment, AICC directed its General Secretary (Northeast in charge) Luizinho Faleiro for summoning Gaikhangam to Delhi immediately.

Accordingly, Gaikhangam left for Delhi today morning along with one of his closest MLAs, namely Yumkham Erabot, who is considered to be the arch-rival of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

The source further disclosed that Gaikhangam is in favour of including MLA Yumkham Irabot and MLA Govindas Konthoujam in the Ibobi Ministry.

But Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh is against the proposal.

This difference of opinion over who should be inducted in the Ministry expansion has led to a sort of confrontation between the two leaders.

Despite the objection raised by Gaikhangam, which are Congress MLAs to be inducted in the forthcoming Ministry expansion have already been finalized and what new development may have come about after Gaikhangam rushed to Delhi along with Erabot in the same aircraft could not be confirmed till late evening.

The source informed that Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh would be returning to Imphal in an Indigo flight tomorrow, a day ahead of Khongjom Day observance on April 23, where would be participating in offering Tarpon to the departed souls of Manipuri soldiers who laid down their lives in Khongjom War.

Even if the Chief Minister is coming out tomorrow, the much awaited Ministry expansion would take place after April 23, the source said, adding that there is high possibility of the second Ministry expansion taking place after April 25, either on April 26 or 27 .

However, who would be inducted in the Ministry expansion is still being kept as a top secret without taking anyone privy into the matter.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Gaikhangam has reportedly made his desire to relinquish the post of MPCC President known to AICC.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh wants to appoint one of his close associates to the post of MPCC chief which is soon to be vacated and Gaikhangam also desires to appoint one of his close associates to the same post.

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