Intense lobbying for ministerial berths in govt

Imphal, Mar 26: Intense lobbying for berths in the Okram Ibobi Singh government in Manipur has begun with the coalition allies awaiting the much-expected ministry expansion.

The Congress-led Secular Progressive Front(SPF), which assumed power for the second time after the recent elections, can swear in five more ministers.

There are six Cabinet ministers, including one of CPI, a constituent partner of SPF. The CPI, with four MLAs, is lobbying for two berths but 'big brother' Congress is reluctant, its leaders said.

The RJD, with three MLAs, has also extended support to the government and expects a ministerial berth.

An RJD leader said the matter had been discussed at the central level between the RJD and Congress leaders.

The Congress, with 29 MLAs, is also not happy as most of its legislators will not get ministerial berths in the move to placate the partners, a Congress leader observed.

''If a ministerial berth is allotted to the RJD, there can be only four ministers from the Congress camp. This has led to intense struggle within the party,'' the sources said.

UNI