CM to return with trimmed list

Imphal, June 30: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh will return to Imphal tomorrow from the national capital equipped with the list of MLAs to be included in the new council of Ministers after the Ministry down-sizing exercise. The list is reported to have been prepared by a three member All India Congress Committee panel constituted to oversee down-sizing formalities of the Congress party. With the down-sizing exercise coming into effect from July seven six Ministers who were at New Delhi to lobby to the Chief Minister for berths in the new Council of ministers have arrived to the State capital today. Other SPF Ministers currently at New Delhi would arrive tomorrow along with the Chief Minister, said sources. Those Ministers who reached Imphal today are PHE Minister K Govindas, Agriculture - K Ranjit, Health - Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Transport - Manga Vaiphei, RD&PR - N Loken and Forest MoS N Biren. MSCP MLA Vivek Raj Wangkhem also returned along with the Ministers. Those coming back tomorrow, including the CM, are industries minister Th Debendra, Works - Gaikhangam, power - Phunzathang Tonsing and Family Welfare Minister Bijoy Koijam. They would be accompanied by two general secretaries of MPCC (I). New Delhi Manipur Bhavan source informed that O Ibobi is scheduled to meet the AICC panel comprising of party’s working committee member Ahmed Patel and general secretary Ambika Soni later in the evening today as well as Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. At the scheduled meeting the Chief Minister will refurnish list of prospective Ministers for final consent of the central party leaders, added the source. It is pertinent to mention here that State CPI has been insisting on two Ministerial berths while the MSCP is demanding one. On return of the Chief Minister tomorrow afternoon final touches would be given to the down-sizing exercises through convening of SPF Steering Committee and then Cabinet meetings.