Sidelined MLAs team up to force another ministry expansion

Imphal, March 13: Disgruntled Congress (I) MLAs who had staged a late night ?tea party? yesterday to show their dissatisfaction after failing to make the ministers? list in the first expansion of O Ibobi ministry have hinted at another expansion in the state council of ministers within three or four days. The legislators, after holding talks with chief minister O Ibobi and senior party leaders today, also denied that there was any move afoot to split the party. Last night senior party leaders including chief minister O Ibobi and Rishang Keishing had to rush to the official residence of Nambol MLA Loken where the disgruntled MLAs had gone into the conclave, and invite them for a thorough discussion on the matter at the former?s official residence. Songchinkhup and W Leima who did not take oath yesterday, stayed away from the congregation but the latter is believed to have extended moral support with the demands of the MLAs. W Leima was the only absentee at today?s meeting attended among others by MLAs from MSCP and NCP as well. Coming out after two rounds of talks, the legislators denied any rift in the party and described yesterday?s event as unfortunate which has arisen due to a ?communication gap? between the chief minister and party MLAs. They added that all misunderstandings have now been cleared after the chief minister reiterated his earlier assurances. They added that the chief minister still enjoys the faith of all party MLAs and denied any plan to affect a split in the party at any stage. However, they claimed that some MLAs from the Opposition did send them feelers with promises for ministerial berths. According to reports, in order to pacify the dissenting MLAs the chief minister had a discussion with Governor Ved Marwah late this afternoon, during which the matter of another ministry expansion was brought up. The legislators left the chief minister?s premises only after the latter returned from the meeting, reports said. Supporters of the MLAs said they are positive that the third phase of expansion will be completed within three or four days after the Governor returns from his short visit to New Delhi beginning tomorrow.