IMPHAL, March 25: There will be no expansion of the Ibobi led Congress ministry before the March 31, according to sources close to the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had himself told newsmen that expansion will not be possible before March 31, on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony of three senior ministers including Gaikhangam on March 16. Yet, rumors about possible expansion and the composition of the new ministry persist in certain sections of the public.
The possibility of Yumkham Erabot Singh in the Ibobi Cabinet and whether Ibobi wil part with the crucial portfolio of Finance is still a hot topic in the corridors of power and the roadside hotels.
Reliable sources in the Congress said, the compromise formula as worked out by the AICC High Command is seven representatives from Ibobi camp including himself and five from the Gaikhangam camp.
After the first expansion of his ministry, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has already two of his loyalists in the cabinet. They are Th Debendra Singh and Phungzathang Tonsing.
According to informed sources, Gaikhangam had proposed the names of Govindas Konthoujam of Bishnupur District, Victor Keishing of Ukhrul District, Ngamthang Haokip of Senapati District, Yumkham Erabot of Imphal East district and L Nandakumar of Imphal West district.
While on the other hand the Chief Minister had proposed the names of Moirangthem Okendro Singh of Thoubal District, DK Korungthang of Chandel District, I Hemochandra of Imphal West District, Md Amin Shah of Imphal East District and AK Mirabai on women’s quota.
Sources further said, M Okendro’s name been proposed by both camps in the Congress. The party is still in the process of identifying as to who would be inducted as chairman and vice-chairman in the various government undertakings.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/no-expansion-till-marchend/