SPF draft still not ready

Imphal, March 01: The steering committee of the Congress-led four party Secular Progressive Front, headed by veteran politician Rishang Keishing convened from 9 am today to draft the common minimum programme for the front. Though as per reliable sources the draft common minimum programme has been almost finalized, it will be made public only tomorrow after giving the final touches. While the details of the draft common minimum programme have not been divulged, it is learnt that it lays emphasis on protection of territorial integrity, bringing underground groups to the negotiating table for peace talks, and resource mobilization, including through sustainable utilization of the Loktak Lake and promotion of horticulture and agro-based industries. A future SPF government is also to give priority to development of the three national highways, promotion of the cooperative movement and to procurement of foreign funding for development activities. Sources in the SPF also informed that the size of a future ministry will be limited below 30, though the front currently has 36 members, including the single MNC member, who is being counted as an Independent as his party has not yet been recognized by the Election Commission of India. State Congress circles also indicated that they were hopeful of putting the Congress-led coalition government in place by Monday next. Though the Election Commission has not yet given a clear signal of the completion of the election process, required for lifting of President's Rule in the state, party sources feel it will be cleared up within the next couple of days. It may be mentioned that AICC leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar and Imran Kidwai have been camping in the state to oversee early formation of a Congress-led government.