Opposition cries foul over expansion failure
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 26 2012: Opposition leaders have expressed deep concern over the inability of the Congress Government to expand its Ministry to the full strength even after 45 days have passed since the Chief Minister took the oath of office.

This is against the interest of people and the State, they decried.

The inability of the Government to induct its full Council of Ministers not only impedes development of the State but also belies any hope of delivering good governance, said CPI State Council Secretary Dr M Nara.

The Chief Minister's failure to expand the Ministry to the full strength due to reported wrangling and tussle for Ministerial berths for the last many days has only exposed the abnormal administration of the Congress Government.

It is a matter of shame that the Congress party cannot carry out its duty of State administration smoothly and effectively despite winning absolute majority, Dr Nara remarked.

O Ibobi was administered the oath of office and secrecy as Chief Minister of Manipur on March 14.On March 16, three Congress MLAs � Gaikhangam, Phungzathang Tonsing and Thoudam Debendra took the oath of office as Cabinet Ministers later.

Alleging that the Congress Government has been working for their own selfish interests from the very beginning, Dr Nara asserted that the Government has already forsaken the public.

When the Government is unable to work for the people, it would be sheer misjudgement to expect good governance from the Congress Government.

BJP State unit president Sh Shantikumar alleged that the Chief Minister has been making a mockery of democracy by holding on to all the portfolios.

Taking serious note of the Chief Minister's failure to expand his Ministry, Shantikumar questioned if someone from within the Congress party was preventing him from doing so.

Further asking if there is any leadership crisis within the Congress Legislature Party, the BJP leaders stated that the incumbent Government has been keeping the State in doldrums on account of its inability to induct the full strength of 12 Ministers.

In their quest for Ministerial posts, the Congress MLAs have abandoned all their responsibilities towards the people.

Even though people did not elect BJP MLAs, BJP MPs would work for the people of Manipur at the level of Parliament, Shantikumar asserted.

Suggesting that the remaining 8 Ministerial births may be distributed to all the districts by inducting MLAs of integrity, Shantikumar decried exclusion of all Muslim Congress MLAs in the first phase of Ministry expansion.

MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang asserted that Chief Minister O Ibobi has been violating all the ethics and essence of democracy by keeping all the portfolios to himself.

Alleging that the Chief Minister has been running the Government like a business company, Dr Nimaichand said that the Government would not be able to undertake any development work for the State.

NCP State unit president Radhabinod Koijam remarked that it was shameful for the Congress party that it cannot take any concrete decision about Ministry expansion for the last many days due to apparent differences within the CLP.

Alleging that the Ibobi-led Government is similar to monarchy, Radhabinod stated that holding so many portfolios by the Chief Minister is disastrous for the State.

"This is not a good sign.

People are now suffering because of re-electing Congress party to power", he added.

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