Imphal, February 06: Upset with the series of setbacks in their campaign to oust Chief Minister O Ibobi, which has been on for some three months, some rebel MLAs have reportedly distanced themselves from the dissidents camp.

Following the latest development, the Chief Minister has gone to Delhi with a list of 22 MLAs who have reportedly supported his leadership.

Speaking to The Sangai Express some of the dissident MLAs said that the voice of rebellion within the rebel MLAs started after Th Debendra who was projected as their leader ditched them for his own personal gain.

Following the 'royal ditch' by Debendra, doubts have been raised whether some dissident MLAs have changed their loyalties or not, they said.

Adding more gist to their observation, the rebel MLAs said that some of their colleagues who had given their statement against the leadership of O Ibobi to the Central observer at Imphal have subtly changed their stance on the issue.

To counter the latest set back, the dissident MLAs said that they will soon change their one line resolution of naming a person to replace Ibobi and instead submit an application naming three persons who may be chosen as the next Chief Minister to the AICC leadership.

According to reports received here, the three names may include, MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam, Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya and FCS Minister Y Erabot.

Since T Meinya is already an MP, talks are doing the round that the other two possibilities may leave their AC seats and instead try to be nominated as Rajya Sabha MPs, said sources.

With the dissident MLAs suffering a set back, the rebel MLAs who were earlier supposed to fly to Delhi together aborted the plan and instead only Y Surchandra, M Hemanta and Govindas Konthoujam boarded the flight to Delhi.

MPCC president Gaikhangam, FCS Minister Y Erabot and some other MLAs are scheduled to fly to Delhi tomorrow.

Obviously not giving up the fight, the rebels will urge the AICC leadership to effect a change in the CLP leadership.

Meanwhile Chief Minister O Ibobi accompanied by his loyalists including Mrs Ibobi, MLA from Thoubal AC left for Delhi today with a list of the MLAs purportedly supporting his leadership.

The Chief Minister has taken a list of 22 MLAs supporting his leadership.

Echo award : The Manipur University Students' Association today presented Echo Child Award to two children in appreciation of their achievements during a function at the conference hall of Students' Home of the University.

The two children who have been conferred with the award are Reshmi Samom (12) d/o S Milan and S Uma Devi of Yaiskul and Samurailatpam Gulsan Sharma s/o S Mahanta Sharma and S Usharani Devi.

Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof C Amuba Singh and Dean of Students' Welfare, Manipur University Prof Md Islamuddin were respectively chief guest and president of the function.

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