Imphal, Feb 18 (NNN): It has already been two weeks now that Yumnam Khemchand has been sworn in as the chief minister of Manipur, but there seem to be several difficulties in expanding his ministry.
On February 4, Khemchand was sworn in as chief minister along with two deputy chief ministers and two cabinet ministers. Given the 60-member assembly, the full ministry strength should be 12 members, including the chief minister. As such, seven ministerial posts are still vacant.
Moreover, the portfolios of those ministers sworn in two weeks ago are also still not assigned. All these are strong indicators that there are tussles among the MLAs as well as the coalition partners for the cabinet shares.
Meanwhile, some reports, however, said today that the chief minister may go to Delhi in a day or two to meet the central leaders in connection with the ministry expansion. However, sources in the BJP said there is no certainty with regard to the time of the chief minister’s visit to the national capital.
Separate sources, though the obvious things, said immense lobbies among the ruling legislators are underway for the cabinet berths and portfolios.
