Imphal, November 30: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi was at his eloquent best this morning, concise and full of wit.

After the speech, he took a sip from a glass of water to soothe his throat as the applauses grew in decibel.

Out of the blue he stunned everyone collapsing on the floor.

Audibly, during the end of his speech, his voice was definitely quavering and sounding hoarse, otherwise the sudden collapse was unimaginable.

Luckily, it turned out to be just a minor problem.

Secretary to the Chief Minister, PK Singh has clarified this afternoon that the 'slight deterioration' in the health of the Chief Minister has been brought under control.

Required tests have been carried out and the reports have all turned out normal.

The problem has been attributed to a case of slight temperature and irregularity in his diet.

But it was not a pleasant sight when Ibobi slumped to the ground.

Like a strong centrifugal force everybody, off all sorts and names, were pulled towards him.

Governor Dr SS Sidhu, who was seated to his left, was among the first to reach out.

For the next fifteen minutes, everyone kept their fingers crossed.

The Chief Minister in a stupor was walled by security personnel and VIPs.

His wife, Okram Ongbi Landhoni Devi watched him from behind the cordon, horrified and confused, slowly losing her bid to retain her composure.

The wild commotion was increasing and frantic cries for medical assistance to revive the Chief Minister rend the air.

Relative calmness was restored only after Speaker Dr Sapam Budhichandra and Dr Ng Bijoy, the two medic legislators, took charge.

Fortunately, Ibobi responded well and procedures to provide fresh air was successful.

Feebly with support, he was rested on his chair where he regained his movement and consciousness.

Sensing the improvement, the chief minister was carried to his vehicle on his chair, followed by Landhoni and a retinue of ministers.

Dr Bijoy alerted RIMS Hospital authority of incoming emergency.

Others suggested reference to a private hospital, while others favoured taking him to his official Bungalow.

Speaker Budhichandra, walking some paces behind the pack, tried to allay the apprehension of a major health condition.

" The chief minister has recovered fantastically and there appears to be no cause for amy major concern.

He is being taken for precautionary medical check up," he state.

He was interrupted on his way by the announcement requesting him to preside over the remaining part of the function.

A women worker of the Congress party considered among the close circle of the Ibobi family disclosed to The Sangai Express that he had been under constant anxiety recently and irregular with his diet.

After a semblance of normalcy was restored, the function resumed.

After chief guest speech from the governor, the public announcement system aired the heartening development that the all is well with Ibobi and he was at his official bungalow taking a well needed rest.

Most reassuringly, Governor SS Sidhu's convoy returned after a short absence, possibly to check on Ibobi's health, and enjoyed a tour of the city's skyline on the BT Flyover.

Perhaps one for the records, the first to formally ascend the bridge.

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