Mail News Service
\nImphal, Mar 16: : Three MLAs , were on Friday sworn in as cabinet ministers of Okram Ibobi Singh-led Congress Government.
\n The cabinet rank three ministers who took oath included Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president G. Gaikhangam, Th. Debendra and Phungzathang Tonsing, who are in a tough contest for the post of the deputy chief minister.
\n\u201cAs of now, we can not say anything on the selection of Deputy Chief Minister and that the Congress High Command would decide on it and officially intimate the same to us,\u201d Chief Minister O Ibobi told the media outside the Durbar Hall after the event.
\nHe said expansion of the new Congress Government would take place at the earliest, adding, \u201cWe just can not fix the date.\u201d
\nThe State budget session slated for March 19 would be a temporary one and that a full-budget session would be held after finalizing the size of the planning, the Chief Minister informed.
\nHe said the new Government will put emphasis on law and order of the State, but equal importance would be given on power, communication and drinking water, too.
\nThe Chief Minister also once again made an earnest appeal to all the militant organizations in the State to come forward for peace talks.
\nIn the 60-member assembly, 12 out of the 41 MLAs will enjoy ministerial berths. The Indian National Congress (INC) swept the last Manipur polls by winning 42 seats. The Congress party also discussed about the election of Speaker and it was reported that Th Lokeshore who was Dy Speaker in the last Assembly may be projected as the Speaker.
\nGaikhangam born on 12 Nov 1950 was elected for the first time in 1980 and has won six times from Nungba. He has been the President of Congress since 2007.
\nThoudam Debendra born on 1 Nov 1941 was elected for the first time in 1980 and has seven times from Jiribam.
\nPhungzathang born on 14 July 1937 was first elected in 1980 and has been elected for the sixth time from Churachandpur. <\/p>\n\n