Ibobi inducts six cabinet ministers

Imphal, Mar 9 (UNI) Six cabinet ministers were inducted in the Okram Ibobi Singh-led Secular Progressive Front(SPF) government in Manipur today.

The ministers are state Congress president Gaikhangam, T H Devendra, Phungzathang Tonsing, T N Haokip and Mohammed Allaudin Khan, all from the Congress, and P H Parijat from the CPI.

All of them were cabinet ministers in the previous SPF government. Okram Ibobi was sworn in as the Chief Minister on March 2 after the Congress-CPI combine romped home to power in the state Assembly polls.

The swearing-in ceremony was held by Governor S S Sidhu.

The Chief Minister said that in the next expansion, to be effected soon, five more ministers would be inducted.

The distribution of the ministries was done on the basis of region and community, he said. T H Devendra (Congress) of Jiribam, Imphal East, was the first one to be sworn in, followed by former Congress president Phungzathang Tonsing of Churachandpur and CPI legislative wing leader Pheiroijam Parijat of Lamlai Assembly constituency, Imphal East.

The Chief Minister said their portfolios would also be announced soon.

The Congress, which won 30 seats, and the CPI, which got four, were partners in the last government too. The RJD, having three members, is also supporting the government.

However, the Chief Minister did not comment when asked if any ministerial berth would be given to the RJD.

Meanwhile, Mr P H Parijat said the CPI would demand two ministerial berths. The Congress has offered a post of minister and that of the Deputy Speaker to the party. The matter is yet to be finalised, he said.

UNI