SPF leader Ibobi Singh may stake claim to form the Govt today

Imphal, February 28: With the electoral process almost over today the four party Secular Progressive Front (SPF) headed by the Congress (I) is likely to stake claim to form the Government tomorrow. The Congress (I) has today increased its tally to 20 by securing one more seat in Churachandpdur district. With this the combined strength of the Front has gone upto 35 in a 60 member House. Dr ChaltonlienoftheINChas won the Tipaimukh seat by defeating Ngursanglur of NCP. The winner secured 3602 votes while the loser got 3566 votes. The Manipur State Congress Party has also increased its strength to seven by adding Singhat seat. Its candidate Thangso Baite (6814) beat Hangkhanpao of the INC (5314). The Chief Electoral Officer, DS Poonia today left Imphal for New Delhi to submit the results of the 8th Manipur Legislative Assembly election to the Election Commission of India so as to complete the formalities of the election. The Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision tomorrow to revoke the President's Rule now in Manipur. The Congress Legislature Party and SPF leader Okram Ibobi said as soon as the news of the Union Cabinet decision reaches Imphal the Front would stake the claim to form the Government. A meeting of the Front partners was held at the residence of Front Convenor Rishang Keishing. NCP president N Tiken, MSCP president Th Chaoba, CPI leaders M Ibohal and Ph Parijat, Ibobi, Rishang and Th Devendra were present in the meeting. A nine member Steering Committee of the SPF has been constituted by the meeting with Rishang as the chairman. Chaoba is the co-chairman and Parijat is the secretary. A common minimum programme of the Front would be finalized by the Steering Committee in a meeting tomorrow. The post of the Speaker may be given to the CPI. However, sections of the Congress legislators are claiming that the Congress should hold the post since it is the largest party. Rishang said the power will be shared amongst the constituent partners of the Front and added that discussions are on to limit the size of the Ministry to 30. He added that if any party is willing to extend support from outside the Front will welcome the party. Rishang has made it very clear that no more parties would be accepted as constituent partner of the alliance. The Front is not in favor of increasing the strength further, he hinted. When asked if the Front would accept the Federal party of Manipur, the Steering Committee chairman said all the Front partners should be consulted first before taking any decision in this regard. The Front is yet to take a decision on the request by the MNC, which has only one member to join the Front. The lone member, S Natum was today seen at the residence of Rishang Keishing where the SPF camp is set up. Meanwhile T Manga Vaiphei, MLA elect has been elected as the leader of Samata Legislature Party, Manipur in a meeting of the MLAs elect with officials of the party. L Lala, MLA elect proposed Manga's name as the legislature leader which was supported by another MLA elect DK Korungthang in the meeting presided by the party president O Lohrii today. Kishore Thapa, vice-president, Mohd Mujeebur Rahman, secretary general and former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam of the party also attended the meeting, a statement said.