Imphal, August 02: RJD Manipur Unit has exerted pressure on Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is also the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) to admit RJD as a member of the Steering Committee of the Congress-led SPF Government as well as in the Council of Ministers.

The delegation led by State unit RJD president W Nipamacha called on the Chief Minister at the latter's Secretariat office at around 10 am today.

Along with submitting a representation highlighting the current position of the RJD, the delegation exerted pressure on the Chief Minister for allowing RJD in the Steering Committee of the SPF as well as in the Council of Ministers.

Party MLA Md Helaluddin, Ngurshanglur, Thangkholun Haokip and party secretary S Natum were among other members of the delegation.

A copy of the representation submitted to the Chief Minister has also been reportedly forwarded to National president of RJD Lalu Prasad.

Talking to The Sangai Express at the party office after the hour-long meeting with the Chief Minister, Nipamacha observed that although RJD has been a coalition partner of the SPF Government since its formation unconditionally, the Ibobi-led Government has not admitted the party as a member of the Steering Committee.

So during the meeting, the delegation made it clear that this was not right, Nipamacha said, adding that the Chief Minister also admitted this fact.

Apart from explaining to the Chief Minister that he should treat the RJD MLAs who are sitting on the treasury bench of the Assembly on par with Congress MLAs and include party MLAs in the Council of Ministers, the party MLAs also expressed their opinions on various issues, Nipamacha informed.

After giving a patient hearing, the Chief Minister assured that inclusion of RJD in the Council of Ministers could be discussed, but the approval of the Centre would be essential for implementation of the same, Nipamacha said.

Nipamacha further informed that in the light of the pivotal role played by RJD National president Lalu Prasad in the interest of the Congress led UPA Government during the recent vote of confidence, the RJD State Unit had also prevailed upon the National president during a meeting at Delhi on July 22 to consider what could be done for the State unit party and took up the matter with the AICC leaders accordingly.

It has also been brought to the notice of the Central leaders that State Unit RJD should not be neglected as if it is not a coalition partner of the SPF Government, Nipamacha said, adding that the Central leaders have also given assurance of doing the needful so that RJD is included in the Council of Minister.

General secretary (administration) of RJD Manipur Unit N Ibohal and general secretary M Ashok were also present during the meeting with the party's National president Lalu Prasad, Nipamacha disclosed.

At the time of staking the claim of forming the SPF Government after the 8th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had submitted a list of 36 members of Congress, CPI and RJD to the Governor on March 1, 2007, Nipamacha reminded.

However, looking at the way the Left parties have withdrawn support to the UPA Government, it would be fair enough for the CPI to resign from being coalition partner of the SPF Government on moral ground, Nipamacha observed.

During the meeting with the Chief Minister today, the RJD State unit had also exerted pressure on the Chief Minister for intervention in connection with the process being made for conducting a fresh election on the contention that the Village Authority election of the Tipaimukh Sub-Division held on November 8 2007 was null and void, Nipamacha added.

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