Ibobi taking time to expand ministry

Imphal, June 9 (UNI) Even as RJD pitches for a ministerial berth, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is still mulling over the further expansion of his four-month-old government.

IBOBI Singh's ministry was expanded in March, with six Cabinet ministers being inducted. However, with the resignation of Congress President Gaikhangam from the ministry a few days ago, six ministerial berths fell vacant.

The RJD, with its three members, is supporting the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front(SPF) government.

Officials here today said that with Governor Dr SS Sidhu scheduled to leave Imphal tomorrow it is expected that the expansion might materialise after his return.

The chief minister, state Congress president, senior Cabinet ministers and MLAs were now camping in New Delhi to discuss the expansion with the central leaders.

RJD members held an executive meeting of their state unit yesterday, where it was decided that the RJD central leaders would be urged to pursue the matter of induction of an RJD MLA into the ministry during the National executive meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow in New Delhi.

The Congress which has 31 MLAs was reportedly ''plagued with a leadership crisis'' with the chief minister and the party president having different opinions on the expansion.

UNI