Thirteen more inducted to swell Okram Ibobi ministry to 34

Imphal, March 23: Forsaking all promises of a small ministry, chief minister Okram Ibobi today inducted thirteen more ministers swelling the size of his ministry to 34. Twelve of those inducted were sworn in this afternoon; the thirteenth, K Ranjit, was absent. The chief minister has said the huge size of the ministry was due to pressures exerted from other constituent units of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF). However a prominent cabinet minister defended Ibobi and asserted that the first priority of the chief minister was to keep the government intact. As anticipated, W Leima went straight into the record books as the first female cabinet minister of the state. Meanwhile N Loken, Charltonlien Amo, Mangaibou, F Ngajokpa, Bijoy Koijam and Maniruddin Shaikh were inducted as ministers of state (Independent charge). Deputy speaker, K Ranjit who tendered his resignation from the post was inducted as MoS, independent charge, but did not attend the swearing in ceremony. Chief minister O Ibobi could not ascertain the reason of his absence. The ministers of state who took the oath of office and secrecy were L Radhakishore, Th Tomba, L Nabadweep, Allauddin Khan and Thangso Baite. Sources inside the Congress party said, the CM had to succumb to pressures exerted from both within the Congress (I) and SPF and increase the ministry beyond his desire. However, reliable sources revealed that the chief minister has received a go ahead signal from the central high command to give maximum attention to the demands of the MLAs to provide a stable government. Reliable sources said Thanglon MLA Songchingkhup who was the only SPF legislator left out will be given charge of chairman, Hills Areas Development Committee. Without mentioning a specific date, the chief minister said the portfolio of the ministers will be announced as early as possible. CPI leader and secretary steering committee of SPF Ph Parijat justified the size of the ministry claiming that the first priority was aimed at satisfying the MLAs and stabilizing the government. Meanwhile co-convener of the front and MSCP MP M Chaoba said although the size of cabinet is large only 11 cabinet ministers other than the CM have been induced. Observers noted that today's expansion will ensure the election of former chief minister Rishang Keishing as the Rajya Sabha MP from the state. It may 'be recalled that Rishang Keishing is the convener of steering committee, SPF.