Imphal, November 21: The stalemate over the power struggle between the Chief Minister's camp and the dissident Congress MLAs is set to continue with the rebel MLAs making it clear that they will not wind up their Delhi camp until O Ibobi is removed from the post of Chief Minister.

Even as the rebel MLAs are not ready to throw in the towel, Chief Minister O Ibobi, Rural Development Minister Md Allauddin and MLA O Landhoni who were in Delhi to attend the AICC meeting returned to Imphal today.

Keeping up the pressure on the AICC leadership to realise their agenda, MPCC (I) vice-president T Mangibabu and MLA Manga Vaiphei today met the AICC in-charge of North East Prithiviraj Chauhan at Delhi today evening and briefed him on the political situation in the State.

A source close to the rebel MLAs informed The Sangai Express that the dissident MLAs at the moment are not projecting anyone in particular to replace Ibobi as that matter has been left to the AICC leadership.

The AICC is also closely monitoring the situation and weighing different options so that the impasse can be resolved soon.

Disclosing some details, the source said that though no one has been projected as the possible man to replace Ibobi, the AICC has shown some interest in Outer Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya, in case Ibobi is to be sent packing.

Significantly, the MP had earlier made it clear that he was not interested in becoming the Chief Minister of Manipur.

Spokesman of the rebel MLAs, MLA Y Surchandra informed The Sangai Express that as long as their demand to replace Ibobi is not fulfilled the dissident MLAs will not return to Imphal.

Repeating the earlier charges of the dissident MLAs, the spokesman said that the present leadership has failed to control the law and order situation and added that there is no semblance of any administration or governance.

Since Ibobi has lost the faith and confidence of a majority of the Congress MLAs, it would be in the fitness of things for him to gracefully step down, advised the MLA.

As for the dissidents, all the MLAs are still together and there is no question of anyone breaking away from the rebel camp, claimed the spokesman.

Amid the tug of war between the CM's camp and the dissident MLAs, the president of Mahila Congress Priyomala met AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and other AICC leaders at Delhi yesterday and urged them to depute an observer to resolve the internal crisis of the CLP, said a source.

During the meeting, Sonia Gandhi also expressed her grief and condolences over the assassination of CDPO, Rasheswari Devi at Moirang some days back.

Meanwhile, the Phoudel Youth Club, Thoubal district has issued a statement asserting that a change in leadership in the Government is not timely.

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