Ibobi sworn in as CM for record 3rd time
Ministry expansion before March 19: Chief Minister
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 14 2012: Sixty-three-year old Okram Ibobi Singh today created history in the political annals of the state by becoming the first person to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur for the third consecutive term.

Ibobi was sworn in as the 23rd Chief Minister of Manipur during a simple but impressive swearing in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here today by Governor Gurbachan Jagat who administered him the oath of office and secrecy to the post of Chief Minister.

The swearing in ceremony, which was held in the Banquet Hall of Raj Bhawan, was also attended by First Lady Kiran, General Secretary of AICC (North East in-charge) Luizinho Faleiro, MPCC President Gaikhangam, Ex-Speaker Irengbam Hemochandra, Ex-Ministers and Congress MLAs, Trinamool Congress MLAs, DGP and other top officials of various government departments.

Notably, ex-Minister Y Erabot and many of the Congress MLAs, who are supposedly showing allegiance to him, were conspicuous by their absence in the swearing in ceremony.

As the clock struck 3 pm, leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) O Ibobi along with his wife O Landhoni proceeded to the banquet hall to take the oath of office and secrecy to the post of new Chief Minister of Manipur.

As soon as the Governor arrived, the oath taking ceremony was conducted by Chief Secretary DS Poonia.

Speaking to reporters after the swearing in ceremony, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the expansion of his Ministry would be done before March 19 and the first session of 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly will be held on March 19 .

Replying to a query, Ibobi said that since he has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Manipur for the third consecutive term, there would be no room for him to give excuses towards fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people, as was seen in his earlier days.

When asked asked whether there would be a Deputy Chief Minister or not, and if there will be one, what are his opinions on the issue, Chief Minister O Ibobi simply said that 'it's a family problem and everything will be resolved amicably'.

However, he refused to give any definite comment on the whether he would still retain the charge of Home and Finance or hand over the two posts to some other Ministers.

Ibobi said that his first priority would be to solve the problems of water shortage, power, transportation, health, law and order and education.

Regarding power crisis in the state, he said that the whole project for power in the state would be either entrusted to a Power Development Corporation or privatized purely.

Responding to a question over the possibility of waiving the due electricity bills as a gift to the people of the state on being appointed as the Chief Minister of Manipur for the record term consecutive term, Ibobi observed that since the outstanding power tariff to be cleared by the power consumers in the state has crossed Rs 300 crores, it would not be possible to waive the whole amount and start from the beginning.

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