Sambit Patra arrives with sealed envelope from Prime Minister
Ministry expansion to be held today ?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 15 2022: The Council of Ministers of the BJP Government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh is likely to be expanded tomorrow even as party National spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra landed in Imphal today.

Reportedly, Dr Sambit Patra who is also the organisation in-charge of BJP State Unit brought along a sealed envelope entrusted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fill the six vacant posts in the Council of Ministers.

It may be mentioned that N Biren was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the second term on March 21 while five MLAs viz Thongam Biswajit Singh, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Govindas Konthoujam, Nemcha Kipgen and Awangbow Newmai were sworn in as Ministers.

Of the five MLAs who have been inducted as Ministers, only Awangbow Newmai is a non BJP MLA and he belongs to NPF.

Sambit Patra arrives with sealed envelope from Prime Minister

According to credible sources, the envelope being brought by Dr Sambit Patra contains the name of six MLAs who will be given Ministerial berths in the first expansion of the Council of Ministers of the new State Government.

It is further reported that N Biren, Dr Sambit Patra and BJP State Unit president A Sharda Devi might visit Governor La Ganesan at Raj Bhavan for the expansion of the Council of Ministers tomorrow while the oath taking ceremony is likely to be held between 10 and 11 am.

Notably, the Chief Minister had recently stated that the vacant Ministerial posts of his Government would be filled very soon.

He had also indicated that the chances of non-BJP MLAs getting a Ministerial berth is unlikely though it depends largely on the decision of the Central leaders.

Meanwhile, another source said that the expansion of the Council of Ministers to its full capacity might take place after April 17 as the party State office hasn't received any official information of such kind.

It may be mentioned that BJP won 32 seats in the 12th State Assembly election while NPP and NPF which were major coalition partners of the previous Government won 7 and 5 seats respectively.

Significantly apart from the NPF and the NPP which have extended support to the BJP led Government, the JD (U) with 6 MLAs had also earlier announced its decision to support the Government.

Two Independent MLAs had also earlier announced their decision to extend support.