IMPHAL, June 19: There is high likelihood of a reshuffle in the state cabinet, which is led by Chief Minister O Ibobi of the Congress government. According to a highly reliable source, the CM is learned to have given a positive response to 24 MLAs of the Congress party. It may be recalled that the 24 MLAs have already submitted a written request to the CM for a reshuffle.
The 24 MLAs in a recent meeting with the CM on June 11 have requested for reshuffling the 10 cabinet ministers, excluding the CM and the deputy CM post. It is learned that the MLA team have brought to notice of an agreement made within the party at the time of swearing in of the present ministers that ministerial portfolios would be changed at the time of completing the half term.
The source added that the CM while giving a positive response to the MLAs has said that the matter will be discussed with the AICC high command. If at all there is a reshuffle, it could be before the coming Assembly session in July or if not after the session. It may be mentioned that the congress party garnered a thumping majority in the last general election. The party captured 42 seats out of 60.
If the demand for reshuffle is not met, the MLAs have decided to do to Delhi and appraise the AICC leaders about the matter. Further, it is learned that there is no room for inclusion of the newly merged five MLAs from MSCP in the reshuffle, added the source.
The source also said, today afternoon, the CM had called on the Governor at the Raj Bhawan. It could not be confirmed of what could have been transpired in the four hour long meeting.