Date:04/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/04/stories/2007110456591600.htm

National

Dissidents step up campaign against Ibobi

Iboyaima Laithangbam

Okram Ibobi Singh

IMPHAL: The campaign by Congress dissidents against Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has gained momentum with their leaving for New Delhi to exert pressure on the high command.

Reports say at least 17 Ministers and MLAs are in the dissident camp. One dissident MLA claims that there are just 10 Congress MLAs with the Chief Minister. In the 60-member House, there are 31 Congress MLAs. After downsizing the Cabinet, there are 12 Ministers. Most of them are not happy with their portfolios. And there are some MLAs who have never got Minister post in the two terms Mr. Singh became Chief Minister. The MLAs are demanding a change of leadership citing “deteriorating law and order, sluggish developmental works and maladministration.”

They allege that the militants are getting the upper hand.

Meanwhile, Mr.Singh called on Governor S.S. Sidhu on Friday.