Battle for CM's post in Cong turning into a straight fight
High Command watching
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 03 2012:
Even as the 11 non-Congress political parties in the state are gearing up to form a non-Congress government in the state, the Congress continues to exude confidence over emerging itself as the single largest party and the battle for the coveted post of Chief Minister within the party is turning out to be a straight fight.
According to reliable source in Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), a young and dynamic candidate of Congress, who was earlier in the race for the post of Chief Minister, has withdrawn himself as the number of party leaders supporting him seems to have dwindled of late and President of MPCC Gaikhangam too has made it clear that he would not be a contender, thus leaving the battle field for a straight fight between two illegible candidates.
Although President of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Sonia Gandhi is presently undergoing treatment at USA, her Political observers are keenly monitoring the situation in the state and the state Congress leaders are being called every now and then to Delhi to seek their opinions over the issue.
Recently, the Congress High Command summoned Minister Y Erabot to Delhi to ask his opinions regarding the leadership of O Ibobi and the prospects of Congress.
Erabot has just returned from Delhi today.
Although nothing could be ascertained over what he may have said to the party High Command, it is surmised that Erabot may have conveyed his desire for change in the leadership of CLP.
Since there are some important leaders within the Congress who are siding with Erabot, the fight for the Chief Ministership has become a straight fight between him and O Ibobi.
There are also reports that the supporters of Minister Y Erabot has dramatically increased of late owning to the fact that general feeling among most Congress candidates and members is for a change in the leadership.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister O Ibobi is leaving no stone unturned to remain in the hot seat and started wooing candidates who are likely to come out successful in the election.
There are also reports that even though the number of supporters for O Ibobi is appreciatively high, the final decision, however, lies in the hands of the party's High Command.
If at all, O Ibobi is anointed as the Chief Minister once again, the Home and Finance department may be taken out from him.