Congress MLAs from Manipur meet Sonia

New Delhi, Nov 24: A group of 15 dissident Congress MLAs from Manipur, led by the state party president Gaikhangam, today held series of meetings with Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi for the removal of Chief Minister Ibobi Singh alleging his total failure in curbing militancy in the State.

Mr Gaikhangam had a one to one meeting with Ms Gandhi here this morning, which lasted for half-an-hour.

During the meeting, he informed Ms Gandhi that during the tenure of Mr Singh, the performance of the state had deteriorated in every sector which was earning a bad name for the party.

The group also held a meeting with Home Minister Shivraj Patil and explained to him the ground realities and also impressed upon him for the early removal of Mr Singh.

Later, the group called on State Governor Shivinder Singh Sidhu, who is currently in the capital at Manipur Bhawan and held a meeting which lasted for nearly 40 minutes.

Initially the group wanted Mr Gaikhangam to be named the new Chief Minister. But in the wake of reluctance from the party high command, they floated senior party MLA Nandkumar's name.

However, the decision was left to the party high command.

In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, the Congress has 31 MLAs including the Speaker and is leading the government in alliance with NCP, RJD and CPI.

UNI