AICC asked to decide on Deputy CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 14 2012:
A reported tussle between the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam and Phungzathang Tonsing for the post of Deputy Chief Minister has literally landed at the court of the Congress high command.
To lobby for the said post, both Gaikhangam and Phungzathang have left for the national capital in a late evening flight today.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh also left in the same flight after taking the oath for the third successive term.
According to informed sources, Gaikhangam has been insisting that he be provided the number two slot after the Chief Minister, when the new Council of Ministers is administered the oath of office and secrecy, which, if it materialises will signify that he will be the Deputy Chief Minister.
It is said that Gaikhangam declined to join the oath taking ceremony in the second term of the secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government for he was not provided the number two slot, ultimately resulting in him sacrificing the ministerial post for the party presidentship.
Contrary to his stand, Phungzathang is vying for the post of Deputy Chief Minister in the third term of the all-Congress Government on the ground that Gaikhangam was his deputy when he (Phungzathang) was the State party chief in 1986 .
Consequently, Phungzathang deserved the said post on account of being senior to Gaikhangam, explained a source on the wrangling between the two prominent figures of the political organisation.
Based on the said contention a list of Congress legislators favouring Phungzathang as the DyCM has already been placed for the Congress high command to take a final decision, it added.
Despite the prevailing dispute on the post of DyCM, the Chief Minister is informed to have suggested to the party high command to leave the said post vacant, according to another source who disclosed that all three party leaders left for New Delhi with separate list of probable candidates for the new council of ministers.