Stiff objection delays Ministry reshuffle

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 23: The State Government’s move to reshuffle its Council of Ministers which was supposed to take place today has been delayed as it sparked serious conflicts within the Government.
Nonetheless, some MLAs may be inducted into the Council of Ministers and sworn in tomorrow.
An evening newspaper however said that the Ministry reshuffle is likely to be held late in the evening today (September 23).
Chief Minister N Biren and BJP Manipur Pradesh president Prof S Tikendra went to Delhi and held meetings with many BJP Central leaders including BJP National president JP Nadda, and discussed about Ministry reshuffle and some other important matters of the party.  
N Biren came back yesterday together with BJP National vice-president Bijaiyant Panda in a chartered flight.
As the Government initiated due procedure to remove some Cabinet Ministers and induct MLAs in their places, the four BJP Ministers and the four NPP Ministers raised strong objections and it sparked serious conflicts within the Government. Subsequently, the plan to swear in some MLAs as Cabinet Ministers today could not materialise.
Sources added that Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand also turned down an offer to be inducted into the Council of Ministers.
Soon after arriving at Imphal, BJP National vice-president Bijaiyant Panda initiated due process for Ministry reshuffle.
A well placed source informed that the four BJP Ministers may take a final decision to resign from the membership of Manipur Legislative Assembly in case any one of them is forced to resign from the Council of Ministers without his/her consent.
The four Cabinet Ministers of BJP are Th Biswajit, Th Radheshyam, V Hangkhanlian and Nemcha Kipgen.
NPP too has four Ministers, Y Joykumar, Letpao Haokip, L Jayantakumar and N Kayisii.
One of them said that they would not accept any attempt to segregate them.
“We will remain with the Government or leave it together”, said the NPP Minister.