Seven of eight who left CM's camp tender resignation

IMPHAL, February 12: Six ministers and deputy chairman (planning) who are among the eight MLAs who deserted the Ruling camp and walked into the Opposition camp on Saturday night, have submitted their resignation from their respective posts to the Governor Ved Marwah, the working president of the major ruling alliance partner Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), T Chaoba announced tonight during a press conference. The eight legislators is only an MLA holding no ministerial portfolio. Chaoba, who is also the Union minister of state for food processing, announced during the press conference held at the Speaker's bungalow that all the eight MLAs who have joined the Opposition camp has also withdrawn support from the Nipamacha-led United Front Ministry. He said that a Manipur Democratic Front Government will replace the Nipamacha ministry very soon. Chaoba said he enjoys the support of altogether 22 MSCP MLAs excluding the CM and seven others 'expelled' MLAs. He said though he has only eight MLAs with him at the camp, fourteen are still being held 'captive' at the Nipamacha camp. He also announced that the MSCP will join the Manipur Democratic Front alliance led by the BJP. The legislature party meeting of the Chaoba faction of the MSCP today elected sports minister, M Hemanta as its leader, Chaoba said. And Chaoba's brother T Bira has been elected the MSCP legislature party chief whip. L Jatra is the MSCP legislature party convenor. One of the likely contenders for the Chief Minister's post, RK Dorendra who also attended the press conference said that the leadership option is still open and a consensus leader will be democratically elected after the Nipamacha government is toppled. He also dismissed the idea of joint governance by six BJP MLAs and Nipamacha in the future if the leadership issue in the MDF is not resolved. Manipur Democratic Front spokesman and MPP O Joy, demanded immediate resignation of the Chief Minister W Nipamacha as his government has been reduced to a minority. He described Nipamacha's claim that he commands a majority in the house as undemocratic. He claimed that many MLAs in the Chief Minister's camp have sent feelers, expressing willingness to join the Opposition front, but are being held captive by Nipamacha. He also said that the leadership option is still being kept open and a stable government will be formed over the ruins of Nipamacha government and a consensus leader will be elected.