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6 ministers sacked in Manipur

Those sacked were Forest Minister Gangmumei Kamei, Transport Minister Khasim Muivah, Sports Minister S Rajen Singh, Food and Civil Supply Minister Ksh Biren Singh, Industries Minister M Kunjo Singh and Minister of State for Finance A Biren Singh, a Raj Bhavan release said on Monday.

Governor Ved Prakash Marwah accepted the recommendation of the chief minister for dropping the six ministers "with immediate effect", the release said.

Koijam had recommended the dropping of these ministers to the governor on Saturday, official sources said.

The six ministers were among 34 legislators camping since May 6 at the residence of Assembly Speaker Sapam Dhananjoy, in an attempt to topple the Samata Party-led People's Front ministry headed by Koijam, Front sources said.

State Bharatiya Janata Party members said the party's strength in the 60-member Manipur Assembly increased to 26, following the merger of 18 members of the Progressive Manipur State Congress Party (PMSCP) with the saffron party.

Of the ministers sacked, Kamei and Ruivah were from the Federal Party of Manipur (FPM), while the remaining four were from the PMSCP, which had merged with the BJP.

The strength of the ruling front, including the BJP, has risen to 58 following the victory of Samata Party nominee Vivek Raj Wangkhem in the just concluded by-election to the Kshetrigao assembly constituency.

The party-wise break-up of the front is: BJP 26, Samata Party 13, Manipur People's Party one, Janata Dal (Secular) one, Nationalist Congress Party two, Independent one, Federal Party of Manipur two and Manipur State Congress Party 12.

Speaker Dhananjoy belongs to the MSCP, while senior Congress leader Rishang Keishing is the lone Opposition member.

Since BJP became the single largest party within the front, its members have been demanding a change in leadership and has projected BJP legislature wing leader R K Dorendra Singh as the new chief minister, front sources said.

Koijam said he sacked the six for their alleged nexus with underground groups.

Koijam told reporters that the Union Home Ministry had put pressure on the state government under a 26-point programme to remove the ministers.

He said the ministry gave the names of those ministers phase-by-phase and provided receipts and other documentary evidence for paying money to the underground groups.

Koijam said the ministry had sent documents showing payment of money to the United National Front by sacked Sports Minister S Rajen Singh.

He further alleged Minister of State for Finance A Biren Singh had misappropriated funds. Biren Singh had also released funds without the knowledge of the chief minister, who holds the finance portfolio.

Koijam said government was contemplating an investigation into the allegations by the Central Bureau of Investigation and added that the action of dropping the ministers followed an earlier cabinet decision and decision taken at a meeting of People Front partners.

He said no central leader had given any indication about his removal nor had he received any letter demanding a change in leadership of the front.

Koijam said it was undemocratic on the part of the Speaker to permit his office and bungalow to be used by some legislators who were trying to topple the ministry and added that this would be brought to the knowledge of the central leaders.

He said he would for the time being look after portfolios of the sacked ministers till alternative arrangements were made.

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