CM and team head for New Delhi to get nod for expansion

IMPHAL, February 18: The newly sworn in Chief Minister of Manipur, Radhabinod Koijam, accompanied by 13 other leaders of the state left for New Delhi today to hold consultations with Central leaders on the issue of expansion of the currently one-man People's Front ministry. The chief secretary, Rakesh has been given the responsibility of looking after the state administration by the Chief Minister during his absence, according to a reliable source. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Union Minister of state for food processing T Chaoba, Speaker S Dhananjoy, former Chief Minister RK Dorendro, MLAs O Joy, Col H Bhubon, M Hemanta, M Thorii, Y Jiten, H Borbabu, Gangumei Kamei, H Sanayaima and state BJP chief M Bhorot. A surprise inclusion in the party was the lone Congress MLA and former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing. Sources said the delegation would call on the Central leaders of the Samata Party initially, to hold consultations on the question of ministry size and composition. The delegation would also call on the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Union home minister LK Advani. The sources added that despite the Chief Minister's assertion yesterday that the expansion of the council of ministers may take place around February 21, there may be some more delay. In the meantime, it is learnt that a meeting of the Manipur State Congress Party, MSCP central executive committee, presided over by the party chief, ex-CM Nipamacha was held today to discuss the still unsettled situation in the party. In all 17 executive committee members including MLAs attended the meeting, which discussed in depth the confusion within the party arising out of the defection of eight MLAs led by M Hemanta and the subsequent steps taken by ten two rival groups within the party, one led by W Nipamacha and the other by T Chaoba. A fact finding committee, led by deputy L Chandramani and including former finance minister Laishom Lalit and ex-revenue minister Elangbam Kunjeshwar has been formed to look into the matter and find a resolution.