IMPHAL: A three-member Congress Ministry, headed by Rishang Keishing, was installed in Manipur, on Feb.25. The Governor, O.N. Srivastava administered the oath of office and secrecy to Keishing and two others-Radhabinod Koijam, who is the State Congress chief and was contender for the Chief Minister’s post, and T.H. Devendra at a simple function at the Raj Bhavan, thus ending three days of suspense. Both of them will hold Cabinet rank. Election in one constituency was countermanded following the murder of a Manipur Peoples Party (MPP) candidate.
Six Opposition parties formed them- selves into a United Legislature Front (ULF) and claiming the support of 34 members had also staked claim to form the ministry.
The ULF constituents were the MMP (18), the Janata Dal (seven), the Samata Party (SP), the CPI, the National Peoples Party (NPP) and Congress S (one). Support of two independent members was also claimed by the combine.
Meanwhile, a Congress spokesman claimed that the new government enjoyed the support of 31 legislators.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 3, 1995
