Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla administered the oath of office and secrecy to five MLAs as Ministers at a simple but impressive function at the Durbar hall of the Raj Bhavan on Thursday afternoon. Earlier, she had approved the dropping of three Ministers. The dropping proposal of three other Ministers had been sent to the Governor.
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Chief Minister N. Biren, who arrived at the Raj Bhavan a little before 5 p.m., said “there is no special significance in the reshuffle since it is routine matter”. He further said, “It is the wish of the BJP central leaders that the reshuffle be done”.
The newly sworn in Ministers are S. Rajen, Voujagin Balte, Oinam Lukhoi, T. Satyabrata and Okram Henry.
Earlier, they said they were grateful to the Chief Minister for inducting them in the Council of Ministers. With additional responsibilities heaped on their shoulders, they wouldl be able to serve the people more meaningfully, they stated.
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Some of them had resigned from the membership of the Assembly while extending support to Mr. Biren. They will seek the people’s mandate within six months. They said they would be able to work more meaningfully under his leadership.
Official sources said their portfolios would be allotted shortly.
People should reject them: Okram Ibobi
Opposition Congress leaders are not amused that some members had resigned to support Mr. Biren. Former Chief Minister and now Congress Legislature Party leader Okram Ibobi said people had elected them for a term of five years. People should ask them why they had resigned from the House. They had done so for personal gains. People should reject them in the coming elections, he added.
On Wednesday Salam Rajen, MLA, who was the chairman of the Tourism Corporation submitted his resignation to the Chief Minister and Mr. Biren is yet to accept it.
