As rebels gun for his seat, CM harps on development

The tussle for the post of Manipur Chief Ministership continues unabated, with dissident Congress MLAs...

The tussle for the post of Manipur Chief Ministership continues unabated, with dissident Congress MLAs8212;camped in New Delhi for the past few weeks8212;issuing daily press statements condemning the 8220;misrule8221; under Okram Ibobi SIngh.

The rebel camp has gone on to claim that five Cabinet ministers have since resigned their posts and joined them, a statement strongly refuted by the Ibobi camp. Irrigation Minister N Biren, who was in New Delhi last week along with the CM, said on Tuesday that no such resignations had been received. 8220;Most of the Cabinet ministers are here. The CM has got the approval of the Congress high command and has been busy with developmental issues and various projects,8221; said Biren, ruling out any change of power in the state.

Despite the rough weather heading his way, the CM is busy surveying various developmental projects underway in the state. The CM said the 8220;revolt8221; within the Congress Legislature Party was akin to a family problem, and reiterated that he was concentrating on development works underway in the state.

Meanwhile, the dissident camp said 19 out of the 31 Congress MLAs were against Ibobi Singh continuing as CM. The dissidents, as well as Ibobi8217;s loyalists, claimed to have met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders in New Delhi. Their spokesperson said senior Congress leaders were expected to take a call on the situation in Manipur on or around November 18, when the AICC8217;s general session concludes.

The dissidents, who have been projecting Revenue Minister Th Debendra as Ibobi8217;s replacement, claimed that poor governance resulting in escalating lawlessness, lack of progress in development and civic projects, non-utilisation of Central funds and widespread corruption had necessitated their move. The statements blamed the CM for the poor condition of the arterial NH-39 and his inability to bringing the militant groups to the talks table. The CM has rejected the allegations and said he was willing to resign if the charges against him and his Government could be substantiated.

The Congress holds an absolute majority in the Manipur Legislative Assembly with 31 seats in the 60-member House. With the ceiling on the strength of the council of ministers fixed at 12, including the CM, many CLP members feel a ministership was beyond their grasp. Sources close to the CM said he was 8220;powerless8221;, as increasing the strength of the ministry would be unconstitutional.