Fight for next Manipur CM at Delhi door

IMPHAL: The fight for Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leadership of Manipur has reached New Delhi with state PCC president Gaikhangam airdashing to the national capital on Thursday to meet AICC leaders.

Earlier on Wednesday, the newly elected CLP met in Imphal and passed a one-line resolution authorizing the party high command to select the new leader.

Congress sources on Friday said though Gaikhangam is also contender for the post, the party high command does not want to rock the boat in Manipur by removing incumbent chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh as the state has become the party's only face saver in the recent assembly elections.

Though Ibobi was supposed to visit New Delhi on Thursday, he cancelled his trip in the last minute. His loyalists say the CM may also visit Delhi soon. The current assembly expires on March 15 and the new government has to be formed before that. "Things will be clear in a couple of days," said a senior minister. With the Holi, called Yaosang in Manipur, to continue for five days in Manipur, the new ministry can only be sworn in at the earliest on Tuesday. Even local newspapers here are closed for five days.

"Ibobi is the captain of the ship and he led Congress to achieve a historic feat in the elections by winning 42 out of the 60 seats. We have to give credit to him for this huge success and the first round has to be his," said a Congress source.

He added that whether a second round of battle will be allowed or not depends on how Ibobi manages the aspirations of the 42 MLAs who represent all communities and districts of the state. Gaikhangam loyalists said they are pressing for a change in leadership. PCC chief and industries minister Y Erabot Singh have joind hands in the current leadership tussle.

Ibobi loyalists, however, said their mentor is all set to become the new CM. "Whether one likes it or not, it is he who brought success for the Congress. The high command knew this very well," said an MLA loyal to the incumbent CM.

According to him, the high command is trying to convince the PCC chief to withdraw from the leadership race. Sources said Gaikhangam has even been offered deputy chief minister's post in a bid to buy peace. But this formula has been objected by the Kuki lobby as Gaikhangam is a Naga.

Of the Congress's 42 MLAs, 28 are from the valley and 14 from the hills. Of the 14 hill MLAs, six are Nagas while eight are non-Nagas, including Kukis and Paites. Of the 28 valley MLAs, three are Muslims and two women.

Sources said Gaikhangam's lobby will demand its pound of flesh if the leadership goes to Ibobi. This will further complicate power equations in the new government.

There are different lobbies working on different agendas. A group of MLAs are lobbying for the rotation of ministers. They are demanding that except for CM, the other 11 ministers in the last government should be removed and replace with those who had earlier missed the bus.