Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 01:
The Union Minister of State for Food Processing Thounaojam Chaoba Singh tendered his resignation from the Union Ministry last night on the eve of expansion of A B Vajpayee Cabinet today.
Chaoba sent in his resignation papers to the Prime Minister late last night on the advice of the latter, but he has not pulled out from the NDA.
He is arriving in Imphal either on September 5 or 6.Chaoba, now in Delhi told this reporter over the phone that succumbing to the pressure mounted by State units of the BJP and Samata Party the Prime Minister asked him to resign through Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan at 8 pm yesterday.
�After meeting Pramod Mahajan I went to PM and submitted my resignation.
When asked the reason for asking him to step down the PM said he have been receiving complaints from Manipur units of BJP and Samata Party, Chaoba said.
He claimed that the PM had assured during the one hour long meeting that he would be re-inducted after the State Assembly election in Manipur, which is likely to be held sometime in December this year.
When asked about continuing support to the NDA the former Union Minister said he will follow party decision in this regard.
But he quickly added that �since I am out of the Ministry the support will have to be withdrawn naturally.� In a statement here MSCP spokesman Kh Devabrata Singh said Chaoba tendered his resignation to quit following pressure from BJP and Samata Party State units.
�Under the impact of the Pressure of the BJP and Samata Party units in Manipur, the PM advised Shri Th Chaoba Singh, the Union Minister of State, Food Processing Industries to resign from the Council of Ministers at the Centre,� the statement said.
However, the Samata Party general secretary Soukat has denied the charge that there party had pressurized the PM to drop Chaoba from the Union Ministry.
The MSCP claimed that Chaoba had been considering for some time to resign in view of Centre�s indifference to the problems of the State.
The party today held an emergency meeting to review the development.
The Central Executive meeting of the party was held at the official quarters of MLA, The Bira Singh, who is the elder brother of the former Union Minister.
The meeting presided by party vice president L Amujao endorsed the decision taken by Chaoba.
When asked about pulling out of the NDA the party spokesman said at the moment no decision in this regard has been taken.
He, however, added that the party may take a decision after the arrival of Chaoba at Imphal.
It may be added that United Committee, Manipur had asked Chaoba to resign for his �indifferent� to the problem face by the people in the State.