Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 06:
Reeling under the series of corruption charges raised against some of the SPF Ministers recently, the Government has started mulling over the possibility of dropping some of the tainted Ministers.
The SPF Steering Committee is likely to meet soon to discuss the issue.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, a well placed source said that the SPF Steering Committee has started exploring this possibility as a damage control exercise to neutralise the recent string of accusations heaped on some Ministers.
Moreover the AICC high command is also understood to have intimated to the State Government to drop the tainted Ministers and replace them with other more credible MLAs.
The Chief Minister has also taken serious note of the rising allegations against some of the Ministers, said the source adding that he (CM) is ready to drop the tainted Ministers to save the image and restore the prestige of the Congress and the Government.
Allegations with regard to the fraudulent withdrawal of huge amount of money have been dogging some of the Ministers in the SPF Govt recently and this had even threatened the chair of the Chief Minister.
AICC general secretary and CWC member Ramesh Channithala who recently came to Manipur was thoroughly briefed on the corruption charges levelled against some of the Ministers, said the source and added that the Central observer took away some documents related to the corruption charges along with him to Delhi.
The documents along with his report will be submitted to the AICC high command, added the source.
Some of the dissident MLAs had earlier submitted relevant documents against some of the Ministers to the AICC at Delhi recently.
Channithala also took serious note of the corruption charges that have cropped up against some Ministers and he more than hinted that the tainted Ministers should be dropped without further ado, informed the source.
Apart from discussing the matter of dropping the tainted Ministers, the Steering Committee of the SPF is also likely to discuss the possibility of urging the Prime Minister to waive off the outstanding dues of Rs 2 crores owed by the State Government.
The Prime Minister may also be informed of the process taken up to drop the tainted Ministers, said the source further.
As the Chief Minister does not want unnecessary trouble if and when the tainted Ministers are dropped, he is seeking the advice of the Central leadership, informed the source further.