Imphal, July 1: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has left Imphal for New Delhi to attend a meeting of the AICC Monitoring group chaired by AK Anthony and will consult Sonia Gandhi on the matter of reshuffling ministries.
A source told IFP that the Chief Minister was not accompanied by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.
The Chief Minister has assured 27 MLAs that he will discuss the matter with AICC leader Sonia Gandhi.
They are awaiting response from the party high command on the mid-term reshuffle of 10 ministries barring the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, added the source.
On the other hand, a minister on the condition of anonymity has disclosed that even if the Chief Minister has assured a possible mid-term reshuffle, there will not be a complete reshuffle.
“Among the MLAs who are demanding for a reshuffle there are so many who had completed full terms as ministers. We didn’t cause any obstructions during their tenures as ministers,” he said.
The MLAs have demanded an assurance from Chief Minister for a reshuffle before the July 11 Assembly budget session. The MLAs have cited the establishment of the NDA government at the centre for the need to reshuffle the ministries as it would strengthen the Congress and bring confidence to the people about the party. They are of the opinion that the Congress is going to be in a different position in the next Assembly election.
Among the MLAs demanding the mid-term reshuffle there are many who have had successful tenures as ministers in the past.
The development works of their constituency are looked after by the current ministers. It hinders the developmental work in their local areas which has caused the lack of faith among the local public. This will lead to a downfall of the Congress party in the general elections in 2017, they had complained.
A source said that even among the 27 MLAs who met the Chief Minister on Monday, some of them were in the favour of the current ministers. They acknowledged that the ministers were doing well in every field and if they support the ministers in undertaking various development programmes, there will be good governance in the future.