CM Ibobi retains Home, Finance; Tentative portfolio list anger heavy weights

Imphal, March 14: The Congress led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government has drawn up the tentative list of portfolios for the 21 member strong Council of Ministers amidst some high voltage drama and frayed tempers. The Council of Ministers includes 17 Cabinet ministers and four MoS. Chief Minister O Ibobi retained the key Finance and Home portfolios. Ibobi also retained Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Cabinet and other departments not allocated to the any of the ministers. The tentative list of the portfolios are : K Govindas (MSCP, PHED), Ph Parijat (CPI, FCS), C Doungel (NCP, Forest and Environment and Tourism), Th Devendra (INC, Commerce and Industries), Phungzathang Tonsing (INC, Power), Y Erabot (MSCP, Education (U)), Gaikhangam (INC, Works), E Biramani (NCP, Revenue), Dr M Nara (CPI, Sericulture and Arts and Culture), N Mangi (CPI, IFCD), Ngamthang Haokip (INC, Tribal Development), RK Theko (INC, Horticulture and Soil Conservation), Md Abdul Salam (INC, Cooperation, Minorities and OBC), Vivek Raj Wangkhem (MSCP, Social Welfare), L Nandakumar (INC, MAHUD and Law and Legislative Affairs) and Y Mani (MSCP, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry). The four ministers of State were allotted the following: A Aza (INC, YAS), W Brajabidhu (INC, Minor Irrigation and CADA), Wungnaoshang Keishing (MSCP, Fisheries and Govt press) and S Natum (MNC, Transport and Science and Technology). Sources said though the Governor had given his approval to the portfolio allocation and even appended his signature to the list before his departure for New Delhi today, a number o senior political leaders and heavyweights aired their anger over the manner in which they were ?slighted?. A senior member of SPF told this paper that a number of heavy weights are not at all happy with the tentative list drawn up. He said that Chief Minister O Ibobi should not allow himself to be remote controlled by outside factors and warned that if such things continue the stability of the government may come under threat. However he hastened to add that he is all for stability. He further said that fact that the Chairman of the steering committee of SPF is not even a member of the Assembly is proof that outside influence is strong. This is not at all desirable. As the hours ticked by the Chief Secretary was summoned to finalize all the necessary files process of the portfolio allocation, said sources. Department of Personnel Commissioner P Bhorot who had taken leave for the day was personally summoned to the CM?s bungalow for the necessary file work needed for releasing the list of portfolio allocation. Sources said two senior members of the ruling front were so disappointed with their portfolios that they left the CM?s bungalow in a huff. They however returned later in the evening. The CM?s bungalow was a hub of activity till late into the evening. Some portfolios are also likely to be announced when the next ministry is expanded which may be on March 17 or 21.