Date:02/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/02/stories/2007030208551200.htm

National

Ibobi Singh stakes claim

Correspondent

IMPHAL: Okram Ibobi Singh, who has been reelected leader of the Manipur Congress Legislature Party, called on Governor S.S. Sidhu on Thursday to formally stake his claim to form the next ministry.

The earlier plan was that Mr. Singh would take the oath of office and secrecy on Thursday. However, Manipuris consider Thursday inauspicious. A formal invitation from the Governor is expected by Friday morning. Mr. Singh and some senior leaders may be sworn in and Ministry expansion is expected only after the Holi holiday.

Sources say both the Communist Party of India and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, which has won three seats, are likely to be made coalition partners.