IMPHAL: The expansion of the Yumnam Khemchand ministry is likely to happen by next week as the chief minister has left Imphal for New Delhi this afternoon.
On February 4, Khemchand was sworn-in as chief minister along with two deputy chief ministers and two cabinet ministers. Given the 60-member assembly, the full ministry strength should be 12 members, including the chief minister. As such, seven ministerial posts are still vacant. Moreover, the portfolios of those ministers sworn-in more than two weeks ago are also still not assigned.
Sources said the expansion of the ministry will be done once the chief minister returns to the state capital Imphal. Khemchand is likely to return within three days’ time.
Meanwhile, upon his arrival in Delhi on Saturday, Chief Minister Manipur Yumnam Khemchand Singh, proceeded to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram to pay his last respects to the late Vungzagin Valte, the late MLA of Thanlon assembly constituency in Churachandpur district of Manipur. He could not recover from the injuries after a mob attacked him on May 4, 2023 in Imphal.
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Meanwhile, in a solemn display of reverence, the Chief Minister stood in silence before the mortal remains and offered floral tribute, said a statement from the chief minister’s office this evening.
The Chief Minister conveyed his deepest condolences to the grieving family and spent approximately ten minutes interacting with them, sharing in their loss and expressing his unwavering solidarity during this hour of grief, it also said.
A prayer service was held, seeking the eternal peace of the departed soul. “The atmosphere was one of profound mourning and collective remembrance as dignitaries and family members gathered to bid a final farewell”, the statement added.
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A condolence meeting was subsequently held, which was attended by the Chief Minister, MLA Khashim Vashum; MLA Ngursanglur Sanate, the bereaved family members and relatives and prominent leaders of the Zomi community based in Delhi, the statement further added.