IMPHAL, March 17 � Former Deputy Speaker Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh is likely to be sworn in as the 18th Speaker of the Manipur State Legislative Assembly at its new premises in the Thangmeiband capital complex on March 19.
Except Congress MLA Lokeshwar no candidate has submitted their nomination papers on the last day for the post of Speaker today, sources said.
Unlike previous election of Speaker, this time ruling Congress legislators have moved the motions supporting Lokeshwar as Speaker if elected and their respective notices have been submitted to the Assembly Speaker.
The motion will be moved during Monday�s session where the House of 60 will take a vote voice and elect a new Speaker, Assembly sources said.
44 year old Lokeshwar who was elected to 10th Assembly for the second term from Khundrakpam seat had once took charge of the Deputy Speaker for five months
The new Speaker will conduct the Budget session of the Assembly once the election process is over on Monday where the State Governor Gurbachan Jagat will also address the House.
As a safety and precautionary measures for the smooth functioning of first session of the 10th Assembly, necessary security measures has been taken up.Th Nimai Singh, chief security officer of the Manipur Legislative Assembly also issued an office memorandum in this regard.
Meanwhile, after the swearing in ceremonies of Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on March 14 followed by three seniormost Congress leaders Gaikhangam, Th Debendra and Phunzathang Tonsing as ministers on March 16, supporters of elected Congress MLAs have been urging the Congress leadership to incude their respective leaders in the ministry expansion.
