CM, Dy CM to study Ministry reshuffle with high command
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30 2014: The long standing demand of Congress MLAs for Ministry reshuffle was discussed between the Chief Minister and the MLAs this morning from 8.30 am to 9.30 am at the Chief Minister's office.

A total of 21 MLAs were present at the meeting and they demanded replacement and reshuffling of all the incumbent Ministers including the Speaker with the exception of only Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

Subsequent upon the meeting, Ibobi and Gaikhangam will leave for New Delhi tomorrow to discuss the matter with AICC president Sonia Gandhi.

The MLAs also urged the Chief Minister to translate their demand into action ahead of the forthcoming Assembly session scheduled to commence from July 11 .

The MLAs made a strong point for Cabinet reshuffle in order to ensure a comprehensive victory for Congress party in the next Assembly election.

Two of the 21 MLAs who met with CM

It is reported that the demand to replace all the 10 Cabinet Ministers including the Speaker is supported by all Congress MLAs other than Y Erabot and O Landhoni.

Except for one or two MLA(s), all the MLAs came to the Chief Minister's bungalow without security escorts.

The MLAs vindicated their demand citing establishment of NDA Government at the Centre which according to them would land Congress in a difficult position in the next Assembly election and also the growing need to strengthen the party.

They also reminded about the Chief Minister's earlier assurance for Ministry reshuffle.

One MLA who attended the meeting said that their move can never be termed as anti-party activity.

If the present set of Ministers should be replaced, the MLAs would not raise any objection when the Chief Minister hand-picks their successors and this was conveyed to the Chief Minister during the meeting.

In his response, the Chief Minister stated that he would go to the party's high command tomorrow itself together with the Deputy Chief Minister to highlight the matter.

Ibobi also invited the MLAs to another meeting after his return from Delhi.

The Chief Minister and his deputy are going to attend a meeting of Congress Monitoring Group headed by AK Anthony as chairman.

Nonetheless, they would also call on the party's high command to discuss the MLAs' demand.

Later speaking to media persons after attending a function at MFDC auditorium where the Tribal Peace and Harmony Award 2013-14 was distributed, Ibobi stated that he has understood what the party MLAs' wishes and expectations are.

Responding to a query, Ibobi, however, maintained that the question of Ministry reshuffle is not within his power.

The question of whether there should be Ministry reshuffle or not is the prerogative of the party's high command.

When the same query was put to Deputy Chief Minister and MPCC president Gaikhangam, he gave an indirect reply saying that children may certain things from their parents but they should not have any intention to break up the family.

"There is the Chief Minister above me and also the party's high command.

I've no authority to affect any Ministry reshuffle", Gaikhangam stated.

Nonetheless, he asserted that maintaining status quo or going for Ministry reshuffle would not have any bearing on the party's strength or fortune.