Kshetrigao by-poll tremor reaches Delhi

IMPHAL, April 10: With the political atmosphere in the People's Front Government becoming robust in view of the Kshetrigao Assembly constituency by-polls slated for May 11; several leaders of PF partners who are Ministers in the Radhabinod Koijam Ministry have today rushed to Delhi to meet central leaders. Health and Family Welfare Minister Nimaichand Luwang, Law Minister O Joy, Higher Education Minister H Bhuban and MoS Health and FW K Ranjit left Imphal today. Speaker S Dhananjoy, IFCD Minister Haobam Borobabu, MLA H Bidur along with Union Minister of State for Food Processing T Chaoba had been camping in Delhi since April 8. BJP legislature party leader RK Dorendra is also staying in Delhi. Reports received here said O Joy was summoned by former Union Defence Minister George Fernandes. Fernandes is likely to give pressure on O Joy not to field MPP candidate in the by-polls and instead support the Samata Party candidate. A separate source claimed Joy is being summoned to Delhi to request him to settle the dispute within the PF Ministry. Meanwhile, the working committee meeting of the MPP today could not finalise the issue of party candidature in the by-poll. The decision has been referred to the next meeting of the committee tomorrow at 3 pm. Joy did not attend as he had left for New Delhi. The source said Nimaichand rushed to Delhi to meet Fernandes in connection with the dissension arising within the PF Government. Another reason for his visit is to meet Ministers concerned in connection with the Family Welfare scam, the source added.