Sonia likely to sort out reshuffle issue on Monday

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is likely to take a call on the demand of Manipur's dissident Congress legislators for a reshuffle in the state on Monday.

It was disclosed by the party's new state unit president T.N. Haokip, a legislator, who took charge from outgoing president Gaikhangam on Saturday.

Except a few legislators, no minister was present during the change of guard ceremony, held in the Congress office here.

Haokip said the ball was now in the court of party's national president Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Speaking to reporters, Haokip said for a long time the Congress legislators have been demanding dropping of all 10 ministers; there are 12 ministers in the council of ministers.

This is in accordance with the assurance given by the chief minister who reportedly said that there would be a major reshuffle at the end of two-and-a-half years of the ministry, Haokip said.

The demands for the reshuffle have been made in view of the forthcoming elections. The dissidents are demanding a mass reshuffle alleging lack of transparency and non- performance.

Chief Minister Ibobi Singh was present at the function but did not say anything.