Biren to be sworn in as BJP’s first Manipur CM

Imphal, March 14 (IANS) Nongthombam Biren will be sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday morning, Raj Bhavan sources said.

He will be sworn-in at Raj Bhavan at 10.30 a.m., the sources said. Biren and one or two elected members may take oath.

A formal communique is yet to be received.

National and regional BJP leaders are expected to be present during the swearing in ceremony.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders are keeping their fingers crossed. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who tendered his resignation on Monday night, said: "We had staked our claim to form the next ministry."

However, that hope is fading away as all other members of the non-Congress parties and the lone independent have extended support to the BJP, and the Congress has not been able to increase its strength from 28.

Ibobi Singh had pinned his hope on the National People's Party, which has four MLAs. However, the NPP general secretary Vivekraj Wangkhem said, "We have extended support to the BJP and it is final."

The BJP ministry is also facing troubles since the Naga People's Front has demanded that its four MLAs should be given ministerial berths. The earlier understanding was that it would support the BJP from outside. The NPF further said that four other Naga MLAs should also be accommodated with important portfolios.

The BJP had bagged 21 seats. But the NPF and NPP with four MLAs each supported it. Besides one MLA each of the AITC, LJP and independent had supported it. Congress has been in power for three consecutive terms.

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