IMPHAL, March 12, 2012: The Congress high command has retained faith in Manipur's outgoing Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and chosen him to continue as helmsman, sources told The Hindu. However, Mr. Singh refused to comment on the developments, on his arrival from New Delhi here on Sunday.The sources said he is all set to assume office for the third consecutive term.
PCC chief G. Gaikhangam, Commerce and Industries Minister Yumkham Erabot, Revenue Minister Thoudam Devendra and Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing are camping in Delhi. Mr. Gaikhangam, Mr. Devendra and Mr. Tonsing are reportedly lobbying for the Deputy Chief Minister's post.
Sources said a pro-tem Speaker will be appointed on Monday to administer the oath of office to the new members so that the Ministry could be sworn in any time. Indications are that the swearing-in will take place on Tuesday.
On Saturday, Mr. Ibobi Singh called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and others.
The party won 42 seats in the 60-member House.
Victor Keishing, the first-time winner from Ukhrul district, may be inducted in the Ministry since he had defeated the candidate of the Naga People's Front, a Nagaland-based political party whose open agenda is to scissor off the “Naga areas” for merger with Nagaland.
Source: The Hindu
