Everyone knows that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is facing a tough time in trying to deal with disgruntled MLAs of his party. Ever since the formation of the government he has been juggling with different ideas on how to appease the MLAs who could not be accommodated in the ministry. There were revolts in the two previous ministries headed by Okram Ibobi, but numbers were on his side. As the Congress was not in majority then nobody even the high command dare rock the coalition boat. But again, the anti-defection law was very useful in taming disgruntled elements. This time, the situation is very different and there is no joy in numbers. The Congress has 42 MLAs out of 60 in the state assembly. While 12 were anointed as ministers, the 30 MLAs were left high and dry. Maybe, it is too early to predict but rebellion is there in the air. This has been giving Okram Ibobi sleepless nights. Besides the lucky 12 including the Chief Minister, one MLA has already been accommodated as the Speaker. Yet, there is still the post of Deputy Speaker and about 6 posts of Chairman of corporations and other bodies earlier held by MLAs. With this, one could placate 7 more MLAs. In our measured opinion, 20 appointees in a government formed by 42 MLAs is more than enough and we do not see the political necessity of 7 more political appointees in the form of Parliamentary Secretaries. These are the underlying reasons behind the opposition and people objecting to it. When the state cabinet had earlier recommended an Ordinance before the assembly session the state governor had returned it along with some queries. Undaunted, the Ibobi government again came up with the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary, Misc Provision) Bill 2012 in the state assembly to appoint some Congress MLAs as parliamentary secretaries in the rank of minister of state. The bill was passed amidst a walkout by Trinamool Congress MLAs which happens to be the largest grouping in the opposition bench. But, the bill was again returned by the state Governor for lack of explanation to his earlier queries. According to the Constitution, all bills passed by the Assembly in order to be placed in the Statute Book must receive the assent of the Governor. He may assent to a bill or withhold it and return it for the re-consideration of the State Legislature. If the bill, which is returned by the Governor, is again passed with or without amendments, the Governor must give his assent thereto. He has, however, no power to return a Money Bill. There is another provision under Article 200 of the Constitution, which empowers the Governor to reserve a Bill for the consideration of the President, when a bill is reserved by the Governor for the consideration of the President, the President shall declare either that he assents to the bill or that he withholds assent there from. However, there is no remedy to the Presidential veto over the bills reserved for his assent. In such a background, Okram Ibobi’s bill may face other roadblocks. Or if the queries are taken care of, there is a possibility of the Governor ultimately giving his assent despite his personal misgivings. But that is besides the point. The moot question is why the people should foot the bill for the stability of Okram Ibobi Singh government. It is from the taxpayers’ money that the government is going to pay the salaries and allowances and the perks. Besides, given the reality of past experiences problems will arise when the parliamentary secretaries began to encroach upon the territory or mandate given by the Constitution to the ministers and the officials or when they are not allowed to encroach. Simply put, appointment of parliamentary secretaries is not the solution to Okram Ibobi’s problems or the stability of his government.
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