Imphal, November 17: With the MPCC vice-president and Congress party chief whip MLA T Mangibabu joining the dissident camp yesterday, the number of rebel MLAs have gone up to 16.Counting together three other Ministers who have reportedly expressed their decision to join the rebel camp, the number of MLAs against the leadership of O Ibobi has reached 19, out of 31 MLAs of the Congress party, they claimed.

MLA T Mangibabu reached the rebel camp at Delhi yesterday after FCS Minister Y Erabot and Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii submitted a list of 14 dissident MLAs with their signatures to the AICC leadership.

However, Gaikhangam being the MPCC president, refrained from signing.

Gaikhangam may do by giving his opinion in favour of either party when AICC observers come at Imphal later.

In connection with the ongoing tussle for change of CLP leadership, AICC�s North East in-charge Prithiviraj Chauhan will be arriving at Imphal after November 20 as an AICC observer.

Before his arrival, the dissident MLAs will seek Prithiviraj Chauhan�s opinion in advance whether they shall continue their camp at Delhi or come back to Manipur.

According to suggestions of the Congress leader, future actions will be chalked out, disclosed the rebel camp.

The rebel camp�s spokesperson Y Surchandra asserted that they are waiting for submission of a formal observation report to AICC president Sonia Gandhi by the Union observer.

Once the report is submitted, the dissident MLAs will claim that O Ibobi�s group has become a minority within CLP, he disclosed.

On the other hand, MPCC president Gaikhangam, Chief Minister O Ibobi and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing and other MPCC members who came to attend AICC session at Delhi were hosted a dinner by MP Dr T Meinya tonight.

However, details of any conversation among the leaders cannot be accessed.

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