Trouble brewing over non-inclusion of loyalists in ministry

IMPHAL, February 25: Just a day after the portfolios of the 34 ministers of the People's Front government were announced, the ministry is already in trouble with three Cabinet ministers submitting their resignation letters to the Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam. Nimaichand Luwang, who was allotted health and family welfare, Kh Amutombi, minister, planning, tourism and cooperation and M Manihar Singh, minister, veterinary and animal husbandry and arts and culture, reportedly submitted their resignation letters yesterday itself. Nimaichand, speaking to IFP over the telephone, said the three of them had decided to resign to allow Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam to accommodate those members of the People's Front who have been left out from the council of ministers in the government. He said the notification of allocation of portfolios had been received late yesterday, and he submitted his resignation letter to the Chief Minister immediately afterwards. The People's Front MLAs who have not found a place in the ministry include the NCP's Chungkhokai Doungel, and five of the MSCP (Chaoba group) MLAs who joined the Opposition camp under the leadership of M Hemanta - L Jatra Singh, Onjamang Haokip, Hangkhanpao, Z Mangaibou and M Chungkhosei. It is worth mentioning that these five MLAs, along with three colleagues had reduced the then W Nipamacha led United Front from a comfortable majority to a minority government by coming over to the Opposition camp on February 13 last. Resentment has been expressed in particular over the appointment of two MLAs of a non-People's Front party, the FPM, as well as three members of the MSCP (Nipamacha group), who had earlier been declared unattached by the Speaker, as Cabinet ministers. It may be mentioned that Central leaders had also clearly advised Radhabinod to stick only to the 28 MLAs who were in the Opposition, including the eight MSCP (Chaoba) MLAs in choosing members of his Cabinet. Leaders of the BJP who had come to Imphal to attend the swearing in ceremony on Friday also strongly opposed the fact that 33 MLAs were being sworn in against the instructions of the Central leaders. Political observers feel that the trouble that has arisen in the new government immediately after it was installed do not portend well for its future.