BJP drops three top Ministers: who’s next?

In a state rife with uncertain political tactics and sudden burst of announcements, something not alien to the ruling NDA, the Chief Minister of Manipur on September 23 dropped three ministers in the cabinet namely V. Hangkhanlian, Agriculture, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry minister; minister Nemcha Kipgen, Social Welfare and Cooperation, and Education, Labour & Employment minister Th. Radheshyam.

This announcement comes in after N Biren Singh left for Delhi on Monday and returned to Imphal on Tuesday afternoon with BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda and Rajat Sethi, advisor to Manipur CM.

There was a talk about three portfolio changing hands from the detractors but wasn’t expecting the radical cabinet reshuffle.

The proposal to drop the three minister was submitted to Governor Najma Heptulla on Wednesday, following which the governor announced acceptance of the proposal on Thursday.

Also read: Manipur: Five Congress Ex-MLAs, Including Ibobi’s Nephew, Join BJP

According to source, the three expected ministers to fill the cabinet seats are Okram Henry Singh of Wangkhei A/C, Oinam Lukhoi Singh of Wangoi A/C and Vungzagin Valte of Thanlon A/C. They are likely to be sworn in Thursay evening. It may be noted that Lukhoi Singh and Okram Henry defected from the Congress party in mid August.