UF preparing for possible showdown

IMPHAL, February 1: The United Front (UF) legislature group, in a meeting presided by the Chief Minister, W Nipamacha Singh, at the Chief Minister's conference hall, this afternoon minutely discussed the political tussle in Manipur that have been kicking up quite a lot of dust since November 15 last and the present political situation, according to a reliable source from the CM's secretariat. The meeting, in particular, discussed ways and means to ensure that the present 35 legislators of the United Front alliance remain cohesive. It also discussed the differences reported within the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) between its president, Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh, and the working president, Union minister of state for food, processing T Chaoba Singh, the sources said, adding that some senior ministers, on the other hand, insisted that the differences be patched up amicably in the interest of the party and the alliance. While minutely considering the instructions from the Raj Bhawan to reconvene the winter session of the Assembly, which was adjourned sine die by the Speaker S Dhanajoy Singh, from February 6 and dispose the no-confidence motion against the UF ministry, the meeting also took into account the silence on the part of the Speaker in this regard till now. The source also said the meeting resolved that the 35 MLAs of the ruling camp shall congregate at the camp should the Speaker suddenly resummon the session before February 6. In this regard, it was decided to ensure that all the ministers who are at the moment out of station including deputy Chief Minister L Chandramani Singh return to the camp, the source said adding that the scheduled New Delhi visit of Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh and finance minister H Loken Singh may be called off in view of the political situation.