Down sizing tremor begins to rock SPF

Imphal, June 18: With the deadline for the ministry down sizing nearing (July 7), internal squabbling and shoving for a piece of the pie has begun to rock the boat of the Congress led SPF Government. To discuss strategies to effect the downsizing with the minimum damage, a meeting of the senior Congress leaders was held at the Chief Minister's bungalow today. On the other hand the SPF has taken up all the necessary measures to neutralize the game plan of the Opposition on June 21, the last date for the current Assembly session, informed Law and Legislative Affairs Minister L Nandakumar. Sources said that the meeting of the senior Congress leaders discussed at length the pressure mounted by some junior Ministers to retain them in the Ministry when the down sizing comes into effect. Though the meeting did not arrive at any specific conclusion, members present expressed that the best option would be to carry on with the Cabinet-in-charge system which was constituted district wise. The Congress MLAs nominated as Cabinet-in-charge district wise are L Nandakumar (IW), Th Debendra (IE), Govindas (Bpr), Gaikhangam (Tamenglong), Phungzathang Tonsing (CCpur), RK Theko (Senapati), A Aza (Ukhrul), O Ibobi (Tbl), DK Korungthang (Chandel). Other than these nine Cabinet Ministers, the remaining three slots may be filled up from amongst the minorities (one), Sadar Hills (one) and CPI (one). It is yet to be decided whether there should be reservations for women in the Ministry. The meeting also discussed on the feasibility of inducting Speaker TN Haokip in the Council of Minister as well as the fate of Deputy Speaker L Lala. The performances of those retained in the Ministry will be strictly monitored and if any case of corruption arise against anyone of them, then the Minister in question will be dropped to make way for another, said the source further.