Manipur CM in Delhi to discuss portfolio allocations

Days after surviving a rebellion in ruling coalition, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday landed in Delhi to meet NDA's central leership to discuss allocation of portfolios to his ministers. Interestingly, Congress MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh accompanied CM to national capital in a chartered flight. Second term Congress MLA from Sagolband, Imo Singh, is son-in-law of chief minister. 

political circle in state is abuzz with news that two Congress legislators h indulged in cross-voting in favour of BJP candidate in June 19 election for lone Rajya Sabha seat in Manipur and he could be one of m. Imo Singh is son of former Congress chief minister Rajkumar Jaichandra Singh. Singh told reporters at Imphal airport that besides discussing ministerial portfolios, he would also thank central leership for victory of BJP's Rajya Sabha minee Sanajaoba Leishemba.

saffron party minee h emerged victorious in a tough battle taking place in show of political turbulence in Manipur triggered by resignation of nine ruling coalition members, including four NPP ministers. Though his itinerary in Delhi is t immediately available, sources close to CM said, he is likely to meet BJP national president J P Nda and will try to get time for an audience with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Following intervention of Shah and Nda, four National People's Party (MPP) MLAs returned to BJP-led coalition and submitted a letter to Goverr Najma Heptullah on Thursday last backing Biren Singh. NPP national president Conr Sangma, who is running government in Meghalaya with BJP, and saffron party's key leer in rast Himanta Biswa Sarma h also played an important role in resolution of logjam in Manipur.

Having braved crisis, Biren Singh is facing ar challenge in meeting ministerial aspirations of his own party MLAs and also allies for which he is likely to seek guidance of central leers. While four NPP legislators are all set to regain ir position in cabinet, chief minister has to deal with heightened aspirations of some of his BJP legislators to become ministers, besides that of Congress legislators, who h defected to saffron party shortly after last state election in 2017.

Out of seven defecting Congress MLAs, whose cases under anti-defection law were heard by Manipur High Court and Speaker's Tribunal, membership of four have been restored and y even voted in Rajya Sabha election for lone seat in Manipur.

re have been reports that ar ally - Naga People's Front (NPF)- which stood with saffron party during turmoil, is demanding parity with NPP in cabinet, with NPF having four legislators in 60-member House. While NPP has four ministers, NPF has two members in cabinet. As per constitutional provisions, re can be a maximum of 12 ministers in state including chief minister.