Although Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is in favour of
inducting one of the Tanghul MLAs in the ministry council, he is unable
to do so due to the limitation of Ministerial seats. File Photo: Ritu
Raj Konwar
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh explained that for the time
being it was not possible to induct any Tangkhul MLA from Ukhrul
district as a cabinet Minister.
Although Mr. Singh is in favour of inducting one of the Tanghul MLAs in
the ministry council, he is unable to do so due to the limitation of
Ministerial seats. In the 60-member House, a Chief Minister is allowed
to have a council of Ministers of 12 members.
The Chief Minister said when he was elected several years ago after
defeating a CPI heavyweight, he had demanded a cabinet berth. But the
then Chief Minister Rishang Keishing — from Ukhrul district — had
advised him to be patient.
On the other hand, Victor Keishing, a Parliamentary secretary from
Ukhrul, and some others publicly accused the Rural Development Minister
Francis Ngajokpam of being "anti Tangkhul" for his alleged
discriminatory policy. There was a public function on Wednesday at the
Tribal Research Institute in Imphal where Chief Minister Singh, Deputy
Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei, and others were present. It was to
felicitate Deputy Speaker Presho Shimray on his recent election. The
open charge against Ngajokpam showed the widening rift among the members
of the ruling Congress.
