RB sworn in as 26th chief minister of Manipur

IMPHAL, February 15: Leader of the newborn People's Front and state Samata Party, Radhabinod Koijam who said an all-party government is in the offing, was today sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Manipur, after hectic political activities kicked up by a series of defections and change in loyalties in the last few days. The Governor, Ved Prakash Marwah today administered the oath of secrecy to the newly appointed Chief Minister at the Raj Bhavan alone at around 1:20 this afternoon. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by former Chief Minister W Nipamacha, who shook hands with the newly sworn-in Chief Minister as he came down from the dais. Radhabinod is now supported by 57 MLAs in the 60-member house with an effective strength of 59. Rishang Keishing of Congress I is the lone MLA in the House who have not extended support to Radhabinod Koijam who have shifted his loyalty once too often in the last couple of days. Important leaders of the People's Front did not turn up at the swearing-in ceremony, fuelling speculations that there might have been a deadlock in the ministerial berth allocation. According to sources, the newly formed People's Front partners held a meeting before the swearing-in ceremony but no consensus could be brought regarding party-wise allocation of seats. Among the prominent absentees were BJP leader RK Dorendro, Col. H Bhuban and former deputy CM L Chandramani. However, ex-Chief Minister W Nipamacha, finance minister H Lokhon, MPP leader O Joy, Samata Party leader Nimaichand Luwang, BJP MLA and ex-Speaker Haobam Borobabu. Kh Loken, M Hemanta and others attended the function. Civil police and military officials also attended the swearing in ceremony. After the swearing in, Radhabinod told mediapersons that the decision on the expansion will be taken later in consultation with the front partners after he returns from New Delhi. He however ruled out further changes in the political scenario, when asked if there would be shift in loyalties. 'It is not new in democracy, after all the very system is based on numbers game' he said referring to his swift change from one camp to another. He said as he enjoys the support of 57 MLAs in the 60-niember House, an all-party government cannot be ruled out. The new Chief Minister however did not see a solution to the insurgency problem in the use of force. He said political solution was the only way out of the present problem (insurgency). Nipamacha on the other hand still maintained that change in the political scenario cannot be ruled out. He claimed that the coalition United Democratic Alliance formed with the coalition of the then United Front government and Samata Party, still exists. Nipamacha said he still extended support to the leadership of the new Chief Minister. 'We (MSCP led by him) will be a part of the government' he said.