Divide 12 by 31 so that the quotient will be a whole number, not a fraction.

Can anyone do it? No, no one, not even the famous Pythagoras or Archemedes or even the Almighty can solve it in the way as the problem is put for solution.

A similar problem, a jig-jag puzzle for which there is no concrete or lasting solution is developing within the ruling congress party in Manipur nowadays.

For a State which has got a strength of 60 MLAs, the number of Council of Ministers must not exceed 12. Because of the limited number of Ministers not exceeding 12 for small States like Manipur where the aspiration of every elected MLA is to become a Minister, the game of musical chair for the Ministerial berth will be always there.

In the light of this fact, every common man knows the main reason of the present wrangling in the Congress Legislature Party of the present Government under the leadership of O. Ibobi Singh.

This observation may not sound melodious to the ears of those legislators who don’t want their actions to be seen as lobbying for a Cabinet Minister who had already missed the berth when the Congress led Govt was formed in February this year and next when the Council of Minister was expanded to the full strength after the by-election of two Assembly Constituencies.

But it is a fact that every one of the MLAs both from the ruling and opposition secretly hopes for a Ministerial berth during their tenure. Then, why one should blame them for their efforts to serve the people of their respective constituencies with more vigour, power and why not, with money.

In the last Assembly Election of February, 2007, contrary to many predictions, Congress won from 30 constituencies with 29 Congress Legislatures (because of the twin win of CM Ibobi from Khanga-bok and Thoubal Assembly Constituencies). Party-men were euphoric at that time and Ibobi was the undisputed leader of the Congress legislature party at that time.

Keeping the promise of the continuance of SPF and to please the Centre, the CPI was included in the formation of the Government. Much to the dismay of many Congress MLAs, one Ministerial berth was given to CPI even when Congress alone can form a Government of its own.

Ibobi did not do it not because of the fear of wraths from Delhi, if so he would have included atleast one RJD MLA in his Council of Ministers which openly urged it to give a Minister in the final expansion.

From the very moment when Congress won 30 seats Ibobi had more fear within the Congress Legislature Party more than he had feared of losing majority in 2002 when first assumed office as Chief Minister of Manipur with BJP Govt at the Centre.

This is the main reason for Ibobi to form or to continue the SPF with CPI which have got four MLAs to support him at the cost of one Ministership.

When the mid-term election of Khundrakpam and Khangabok Constituencies brought two more Congress MLAs, the congress have got the magic number of 31 of their own party. Many Congress MLAs including many heavy weights who had missed the bus of Cabinet Ministers again hope for a reshuffle, of a pure congress Govt. But that didn’t happen again.

For O. Ibobi, it is better to lead a coalition Government with lesser number of Congress MLAs as done in the previous Govt than leading a Congress Government of 31 Congress MLAs. First, in the previous Government, there were no one to challenge the leadership of Ibobi.

At that time he was a champion in bringing a Congress led Government while BJP is hovering around to form a Government of their own. This had pleased Sonia Gandhi very much. That was a blessing from the High Command.

The CPI which was an arch of support of Ibobi benefited most with two berth of Cabinet Ministers. That were the main reasons of smooth sailing of O Ibobi in 2002-06.

But 2007 is not that of 2002. With the increasing of Congress MLAs there is also more Congress leaders in the Congress camp who can challenge the leader. The murder of protest were heard long not only from the Congress MLAs but from some of the present Ministers over the style of function of the present Government.

The resignation of Gaikhangam from the Council of Ministers some months back had a deeper meaning underneath and it was a new twist in the course of the present Govt giving way to pro and anti-Ibobi in the ruling Congress MLAs.

To be frank, if there is an open discussion or debate about the performance of the present Government not relying on the progress report of the Govt, there will be more opinion expressing anguish and resentment than singing the tune of achievement.

Yes, many development works are being taken up by this Govt, but the actual prize or credit is only to be given when the plan or project is completed to the benefit of the people. Here lies the weakness of the present Government for not completing any project within the stipulated time. And it is another score for the anti-Ibobi camp.

Amidst constraints, demands and mounting expectations of the people from the present Govt, O Ibobi has successfully or unsuccessfully completed more than 200 days of governance. It is indeed an internal matter of a political party. It is too early to predict whether there will be a change in the leadership of Congress Legislature Party.

The Congress high command is playing the card close to her chest and all eyes are set on her. But at the same time a public image of disparate stands by the members of the same political party is not looked upon in political tradition as a desirable state of things.