IMPHAL, April 23: State Home Minister Gaikhangam returned to Imphal today in the forenoon by an Air India flight from New Delhi, while the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh remained in Imphal.
Informed sources said, after receiving inputs from senior leaders of Core Committee and separate lists from the state CM and HM, the Political Advisor Ahmad Patel has already submitted his recommendations to the AICC President Sonia Gandhi.
The sources said, it may take some more time before the President gives her approval to the recommendations as she is confronted with defeat at the Delhi Municipal Corporation elections and the lack of majority in the Electoral College for electing a new President of India, besides the controversial NCTC.
Meanwhile, speculations are ripe on who would be included in the second expansion of the 42-day old Okram Ibobi led ministry. Former ministers and other aspirants are flocking to the official residences of both the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.
Senior leader and Congress MLA Yumkham Erabot remains stationed at New Delhi meeting party leaders.
Reliable sources said, the Chief Minister Ibobi Singh may be asked to part with the crucial portfolios of Finance which holds the purse strings and Department of Personnel (DP) which is responsible for transfer and posting of IAS and IPS officers.