Assert there is no change in stance
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 07:
Strongly refuting the report that the campaign against the leadership of Okram Ibobi has fizzled out, the dissident MLAs currently at Delhi maintained that there is no question of the rebel camp packing up.
Despite the stand of the dissidents, it is learnt that Chief Minister O Ibobi met Prithiviraj Chauhan today evening at Delhi wherein he submitted the list of MLAs supporting him.
Chauhan on his part advised the CM to divest some important portfolios and solve the internal issue soon.
Sticking to their stand, the dissidents said that there is no change on their stance to accept any MLA nominated by the AICC as Chief Minister of Manipur in place of O Ibobi and asserted claiming that a definite picture on the ongoing political battle will emerge within two/three days time.
After rebel MLAs Y Surchandra, Govindas Konthoujam and Moirangthem Hemanta left for Delhi yesterday, eight other MLAs have also joined them in Delhi today.
The rebel MLAs who left Imphal today were MPCC president Gaikhangam, Tribal Development Minister D Thaisii, FCS Minister Y Erabot, Moirangthem Oken, K Meghachandra, W Brajabidhu, L Nandakumar and T Manga Vaiphei.
Other dissident MLAs who are staying back at Imphal will reach Delhi on February 9, they informed.
Rejecting the alleged report of pro-Ibobi MLAs that the Chief Minister had left for Delhi with a list of 22 MLAs supporting his leadership, the rebels disclosed that they have been working on several strategies to check the Congress MLAs, leaders of the party's frontal organisations and DCC presidents from straying from their the stance they gave to the AICC general secretary Prithiviraj Chauhan who visited the State as the AICC observer some months back.
On the assurance of AICC leaders AK Antony, Ahmed Patel and Prithiviraj Chauhan that a new Chief Minister will be installed before the full Budget session and after listening to their suggestion to attend the Assembly session held recently, the rebel MLAs extended full cooperation during the Assembly sittings, they informed.
Claiming that they are in Delhi in accordance with the suggestion of the AICC leaders to come there after the Assembly session, the rebel MLAs maintained that they will continue with their political rebellion until their goal is achieved.
In case the AICC fails to fulfil its assurance, there may be serious disturbance during the full budget session scheduled to commence from February 20, they cautioned.