IMPHAL, March 8 (PTI): A new Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader would be elected in the next few days to pave the way for formation of new Congress-led ministry in Manipur where the party got 42 seats in the 60-member Assembly, party sources said today.
The newly-elected party members held the first CLP meeting last evening during which it was decided to elect the leader through "consensus" in consultation with the party high command. Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who submitted resignation letter to Governor Gurbachan Jagat yesterday for formation of the new ministry, today left for Delhi along with State party president Gaikhangam to meet AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and submit report on party's performance in the January 28 elections. Party sources said AICC general secretary in-charge of Manipur L Faleiro who presided over yesterday's meeting at State Congress Bhavan appealed to the members to accept the CLP leader who would be chosen in consultation with the party high command. Sources said front runners for the CLP leaderships were Ibobi Singh, Gaikhangam and senior party leader Y Erabot. Congress got 42 seats while the Trinamool Congress bagged seven. Party sources said Erabot would also be going to Delhi in the next few days to meet the party high command. Official sources, meanwhile, said the Governor has asked Ibobi Singh to continue as caretaker chief minister till an alternative arrangement is made. The present 9th Assembly expires on March 15 and an official order constituting the 10th Assembly would be issued on March 12.
