Purple Patch Continues : Ibobi's Juggernaut From 2002 To 2012
Ibobi wins race to CLP leader post, to take oath of office today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 13 2012: Okram Ibobi Singh is all set to script a new chapter in the political history of the land and hold the office of the Chief Minister for the third consecutive time after being elected as leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

Ibobi Singh will be sworn in as the Chief Minister tomorrow at 3 pm at the Raj Bhawan.

It is informed that O Ibobi Singh had staked claim to form an exclusive Government of the Congress party in Manipur and take the oath of office as the Chief Minister at Raj Bhawan tomorrow.

Conveying that a copy of the gazette notification, constituting the Tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly by the Election Commission of India had been received by the Governor's Secretariat, a statement issued today from the Raj Bhawan said O Ibobi Singh staked the claim to form the new Government.

Consequent to the election of O Ibobi Singh as the new CLP leader and with no other group staking claim, the Governor has subsequently appointed Okram Ibobi Singh to be the new Chief Minister, mentioned the statement.

The Governor yesterday had also appointed Laishram Nandakumar Singh, one of the senior-most MLAs elected to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, to be the person before whom the newly elected members shall subscribe the oath or affirmation, it informed adding that L Nandakumar was appointed as the Speaker Pro-Tem today.

No end to the juggernaut : Okram Ibobi being sworn in as Chief Minister for the first time in 2002, the second time in 2007 and announcing his election as leader of the Congress Legislature Party on March 13, 2012

After his maiden entry to the Manipur Legislative Assembly from Khangabok Assembly segment, O Ibobi had the overwhelming approval from the neighbouring Thoubal AC, from where he was elected to the House in the 2007 and again in the 2012 election.

political pundits believe that the two-term successive stints by Okram Ibobi as the Chief Minister had brought about political stability in Manipur.

All indications of internal wranglings, if any, within the Congress organisation on the issue of CLP leadership was put to rest today with AICC general secretary Luzinho Faleiro announcing that Congress high command has officially approved O Ibobi Singh as the CLP leader, thus paving the way for the Thoubal AC legislator to create history as the longest serving Chief Minister of Manipur.

Flanked by O Ibobi, MPCC president Gaikhangam, senior Congress leader Th Debendra and party's vice president T Mangibabu, Luzinho Faleiro also announced to newspersons at Congress Bhawan today that the auspicious day and timing of staking claim would be the prerogative of the new CLP leader.

Conveying gratitude to the people of Manipur for the overwhelming support to the Congress party in the election, the AICC functionary also noted that faith and belief reposed by the people on the Congress party and the Chief minister will be held in high esteem and respected.

Exuding confidence that the new Government will effectively translate into action all the policy programmes mentioned in the party manifesto, he also stressed on the need for the Congress organisation and the Government to work in tandem for living upto the expectation of the people of Manipur.

Faleiro also appealed to the 'misguided youths' to come forward for finding a negotiated solution to the vexed issue of insurgency.

O Ibobi Singh, who also addressed the media affirmed that relevant exercise for expansion of ministry of the new Government would be initiated at the earliest with the consent of the AICC high command.

He asserted that interest of the women and minority section of the society would be accorded top priority in the formation of the new Government.

The CM-designate, while thanking the people of Manipur for the Congress party gaining absolute majority in the House also pledged that focus of the new Government will be on peace and development in the State.

In his comment, Gaikhangam welcomed appointment of the new CLP leader by the party's national leaders and allayed apprehension, if any, on the issue of CLP leadership.

Out of the total strength of 60 members in the State assembly, the Congress alone bagged 42 seats and is unlikely to seek the support of other political parties, like in the case of the two previous terms of the Congress-led Secular Progressive Alliance Government.

In the previous Governments led by Congress party, CPI was a partner.

However, this time CPI drew blank with none of its candidates elected from any constituencies.