Imphal, May 22 2009: Friendship or alliance in politics do not last long.

The time for the two partners of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) � Congress and CPI to part ways seems to be just around the corner.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) is learnt to have decided to remove Health & Family Welfare, CADA and Labour & Employment Minister Ph Parijat from the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister O Ibobi and thus drop the CPI from the SPF government.

Highly reliable sources said, the decision was taken at a meeting held at 10 am today at Manipur Bhavan, Delhi.

State Chief Minister O Ibobi, MPCC president Gaikhangam, Member of Rajya Sabha Rishang Keishing, newly elected Dr Th Meinya, Thangso Baite, RD & PR, MOBC and Fisheries Minister Md Allauddin Khan, Tribal Development, District Council & Hills and Vety & AH Minister DD Thaisii, Commerce & Industries, FCS and Cooperation Minister Y Irabot, MLAs M Hemanta, E Dwijamani, Th Lokeshwor, Kh Ratan, Manga Vaiphei, T Mangibabu, etc.

were present at the meeting.

The sources said that prior to the meeting, the MPCC had obtained approval of the AICC leaders to drop CPI from the SPF government.

Since the AICC had taken a decision not to ally with the Left parties in the UPA government at the Centre, the MPCC found it relevant that Congress should also not go together with the CPI in the state government, the sources said.

After Chief Minister Ibobi returns from New Delhi in the next few days, the decision of the MPCC is expected to be translated into reality.

It is also learnt that reshuffling of the present Council of Ministers was also deliberated upon at today's meeting in Delhi.

On the other hand, a meeting of secretariat members of the CPI Manipur State Council was also held at Irabot Bhavan here today.

It is understood that the meeting discussed whether the CPI should continue further in the SPF government or not.

The meeting also discussed the recently held 15th Lok Sabha elections.

Sources in the CPI told the Hueiyen Lanpao that the meeting adopted several resolutions including the CPI to stop supporting the SPF government and if to stop supporting it, two part in a friendly manner after having tea together, etc.

However, a concrete decision of the CPI Manipur State Council will be taken at a meeting of the election committee of the party to be held on May 24 at Irabot Bhavan and another meeting of the executive committee to be held on May 28 .

Minister Parijat told this newspaper in a lightly manner that if the two parties can go together, he will withdraw from the government honourably.

Resigning from the ministership is no problem.

CPI is not a party which indulges in power politics, he said.

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