Imphal, April 08: With the State unit of the RJD raising the pitch to induct one of its MLAs in the Council of Ministers when the next expansion is effected, National president of the party, Lalu Prasad Yadav has also reportedly backed the claim of the party.

The message of Lalu Prasad was conveyed to State RJD chief and former Chief Minister W Nipamacha, who has been camping at Delhi for the last few days to garner support for the said purpose.

On the other hand, Chief Minister O Ibobi reached Delhi today after attending the North East Chief Minister's meeting at Guwahati.

The Chief Minister is trying to seek an audience with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi to discuss the expansion of the Council of Ministers, said a well placed source while speaking to The Sangai Express.

W Nipamacha and RJD Legislature wing leader Hellaluddin Khan have been camping at New Delhi for the past two weeks to pursue their demand.

Speaking to The Sangai Express from Manipur Bhawan at New Delhi, Hellaluddin Khan said that Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is also the Union Railways Minister has met AICC president Sonia Gandhi and urged her to induct one RJD MLA in the Council of Ministers in the next expansion.

Sonia Gandhi responded positively to the demand put up by the RJD, claimed Hellaluddin Khan and added that she assured that a Ministerial berth would be reserved for the RJD.

Lalu Prasad was also clear in stating that assuring a Ministerial berth for the RJD in the SPF Ministry is the responsibility of the Central leaders of the party, added Hellaluddin.

"Our president has assured us that it would be made very clear to the Congress that the RJD cannot and should not be slighted in Manipur," claimed the MLA further.

The RJD Legislature wing leader further said that until and unless the question of inducting one RJD MLA in the Council of Ministers is settled amicably, they would continue to camp at New Delhi even if it is for two months.

"We will return to Imphal after we receive an invitation to join the Ministry," he added.

Significantly, Chief Minister O Ibobi had included the names of the three RJD MLAs when he submitted his list to the Governor to form the Government after the election.

Questioning why the State Congress unit is not keen on offering a Ministerial berth to the RJD, Hellaluddin Khan claimed that he has not been linked to any controversy.

"Will the CLP be able to function smoothly by keeping me out of the Council of Ministers ?" he countered.

Sounding a stern warning, Hellaluddin Khan said that if the Central leaders of the RJD do not take the demand of the State unit seriously the State unit seriously, then the party would be abolished from the soil of Manipur.

This point has also been conveyed to the Central leaders of the party, he added.

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