CM to leave for Delhi, Cabinet expansion likely

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 19: For the first time after being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand will go to New Delhi on February 21 and his Council of Ministers is likely to be expanded soon after his return.
Yumnam Khemchand will pay a visit to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and talk with some key Central leaders including Amit Shah on induction of new Ministers and allotment of portfolios, sources said.
According to the sources, the Chief Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Losii Dikho and Nemcha Kipgen during his visit to New Delhi.
Khemchand will talk with Amit Shah on February 22 on expansion of the State Cabinet to the full capacity and distribution of portfolios to Ministers.
After Khemchand’s return from New Delhi, the seven vacant Ministerial berths may be filled up on February 23. Portfolios of all Ministers may also be distributed on the same day, said the sources.
Notably, Yumnam Khemchand (Singjamei AC)  was sworn in as the Chief Minister on February 4 along with Losii Dikho (Mao AC) and Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi AC) as Deputy Chief Ministers.
Govindas Konthoujam (Bishnupur AC) and Khu-raijam Loken (Wangoi AC) were also sworn in as Cabinet Ministers on the same day. There should be 12 Ministers in the State’s Council of Ministers. With five Ministers already sworn in, seven Ministerial berths are still vacant.
Moreover, portfolios of the Ministers already sworn have not been allotted till date.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP Central leaders may recommend certain MLAs to Khemchand for induction in his Council of Ministers.
It is being speculated that an NPF MLA from either Ukhrul or Kamjong district may be given a Ministerial berth. As such, either K Leishiyo (Phungyar AC) or Ram Muivah (Ukhrul AC) may be inducted as a Minister. Of the BJP MLAs elected from Churachandpur and Tipaimukh districts, either LM Khaute or Ngursanglur Sanate may be given a Ministerial berth.
Another source said that both LM Khaute belonging to Paite community and Ngursanglur Sanate, representing Hmar community may be given Ministerial berths. It is also being speculated that BJP MLA T Robindro (Thanga AC) may also be inducted as a Cabinet Minister.