Talks begin at Delhi on Ministry expansion
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2012: Amid report of lingering differences between the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and senior Congress leader Yumkham Erabot stalling expansion of the Congress Ministry, the former will return here from the national capital tomorrow with suggestions from central leaders to iron out all outstanding issues.

Nevertheless, the issue on Ministry expansion is likely to linger for some more days.

According to different sources, the dispute over who should be included in the Ministry expansion for the eight remaining slots came to the fore at a meeting of central and State Congress leaders at New delhi this evening.

Among others the meeting convened by the All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi was attended by the Chief Minister Ibobi and State Home Minister Gaikhangam, who is also the State Congress chief.

It is worth mentioning that after O ibobi Singh's third consecutive term in office as the Chief Minister, senior Congress trio Gaikhangam, Th Debendra and Phungzathang Tonsing were allocated their respective portfolios in the first phase of ministry expansion with subsequent expansion remaining stalled till date.

While only eight slots of Ministerial post remain in the new Government out of 42 Congress MLAs elected to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the Congress Government is faced with the dilemma of ensuring there is no ugly repercussion as a consequence of the ministry expansion.

Even though it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister to decide on whom the remaining Ministerial posts should be allocated, as MPCC president Gaikhangam also reportedly has tremendous influence on finalising the portfolios, highlighted a source.

With the differences amongst State Congress leaders on the portfolio allocation lingering for over a month the issue was placed before the central party leaders to arrive at a consensus thus resulting in the meeting convened by the Congress chief.

It is said that Home Minister Gaikhangam, who had returned to Manipur to monitor the law and order situation here, after a brief stay at the national capital flew back to New Delhi on a 10 am flight today as he was summoned by the party's high command to ensure his presence at the said meeting.

Another source revealed that both the Chief Minister O ibobi and Home Minister Gaikhangam have prepared separate list on the allocation of portfolios compelling the Congress high command to ask both leaders attend the crucial meeting to arrive at a consensus on the issue.

After perusing both the list, a final outcome on whom to accommodate in the Congress Government is likely to be reached tonight.

Even though the list is being finalised tonight the date for actual allocation of the portfolios might be announced only after return of both leaders to the State tomorrow.

While one of the sources confided that minute assessment on the portfolio allocation will be another crucial deliberation for State Congress leaders before announcing date of Ministry expansion, it is informed that the expansion will be effected within this month.

A source in the Congress also disclosed that in view of State functions such as Khongjom Day there would be no haste in the expansion and hinted that the portfolio allocation is likely to be announced on April 28 or 30 at the latest.

On the otherhand, information has been received here that Wangkhei AC MLA Yumkham Erabot has also been summoned by the Congress high command subsequently taking the evening flight to New delhi today.

A known critic of Ibobi, the outspoken MLA is said to have reached the national capital at around 7 pm and is scheduled to have a meeting with AICC chief Sonia Gandhi.

Even though Erabot is not in the list of Ministers prepared by the Chief Minister, it is possible that after his inclusion the final outcome over the portfolio distribution might be finalised by late night today.

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