Post expansion revolt rocks SPF

Imphal, March 12: Even though the Congress led Secular Progressive Front cruised through the confidence vote by a voice vote during the first sitting of the Assembly today, internal revolt is threatening to rock the boat of the fledgling Government. Late developments in the evening today suggested that not everything is alright within the fledgling coalition Government as 7 Congress men and two MSCP men have deserted their camps and are camping at the official residence of Congress MLA N Loken. However a late evening report put the number of disgruntled Congress MLAs at nine. Unofficial sources said that the Congress men and the MSCP men are disgruntled as they were not included in the Council of Ministers which was expanded this evening. The Congress MLAs who are camping at the residence of Loken are, Z Mangaibou, Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Allaudin, Maniruddin, K Ranjit and Francis Ngajokpa. The two MSCP MLAs are Bijoy Koijam and Thangso Baite. However when The Sangai Express contacted Bijoy late this evening, he denied the new development. Sources said a worried Chief Minister O Ibobi contacted the rebels and talked with them for over an hour from 8 pm to 9 pm. Further negotiations will he held tomorrow morning at 9. Chief Minister O Ibobi also denied any such development. Earlier in the morning Governor Ved Marwah struck the right chord greeting the newly elected members and the people of the State in Manipuri in his customary address to the House at 2 pm. Thereafter he resumed the address in English. With the approval of the newly elected Speaker, TN Haokip, O Ibobi moved the trust vote motion. Moving the motion, Ibobi appealed to both the ruling and Opposition bench to co-operate in the fight against corruption which has assumed epidemic proportion in Manipur. In an unprecedented gesture, the Chief Minister announced in the House that he will declare all his assets soon. Joining in, BJP State president Meinam Bhorot said that the verdict of the people was for a non Cong Govt. He added that the long years of Congress rule in the State is responsible for the many ills afflicting Manipur. Ridiculing the MSCP and NCP for aligning with the Congress Bhorot said the two parties broke away from the Congress earlier. He further said the CPI has also hopped onto the Congress bandwagon merely to sit on the ruling bench. Thus the Opposition cannot support the confidence vote, he said. Cutting down to size the charges hurled by Bhorot, CPI MLA Mangi said his party has joined the Government as it was the wishes of the people. He said that the principle and discipline of CPI members is above reproach and reminded the House that he himself resigned from the Council of Ministers in the 6th Assembly when the MSCP decided to tie up with the BJP. Mangi also said the MSCP quit the NDA and joined the Government because it was keen to see a stable Government in place. Salam Ibohal of the Opposition hailed the announcements of the Chief Minister and urged him to keep his promises. Ibohal said Ibobi violated democratic norms when he handed the CM-in-charge responsibility to Parijat of the CPI even though the responsibility ought to have been given to the next man in charge, K Govindas. Hinting that there are many power brokers behind the Chief Minister Ibohal said stability will suffer if the Chief Minister allows himself to he dictated by outside forces. MPP president O Joy asked the ruling Front not to reduce the Government to a 'Government of Ministers'. Speaker TN Haokip deferred next sitting of the Assembly to 11 am of March 18. The Governor's address will be discussed then. Further sitting of the House will be decided according to the decision of the Business Advisory Committee.