Newmai News Network Imphal | March 23 The nine-day old N Biren Singh BJP-led coalition government's ministry in Manipur expanded with the induction of three BJP legislators, taking its strength to 12 on Thursday. Nemcha Kipgen, the lone woman MLA from Kangpokpi constituency, V Hangkhanlian from Churachandpur constituency, and Th Radheshyam Singh from Heirok constituency were sworn-in at the Raj Bhavan’s Durbar Hall. Governor Dr Najma Heptulla administered the oath of office and secrecy to the three MLAs in the presence of Chief Minister Biren Singh, opposition leader and former Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and other state officials. The distribution of portfolios is likely to take place later in the evening, officials said. Biren Singh and eight others were sworn-in on March 15 last. Official sources informed that parliamentary secretaries would also take oath at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat later in the day. Meanwhile, the three-day budget session of Manipur assembly concluded today. On the final day of the Budget session, the Manipur Appropriation Bill No 1 and 2 were passed in the House and then it was adjourned sine die by Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The first-ever BJP government headed by Biren Singh in Manipur was formed with the support of National people’s Party (NPP), Naga People’s Front (NPF), AITC and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Manipur assembly polls 2017 threw up a hung verdict. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had managed to secure 21 seats. And though the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats, it failed to muster the required numbers in the 60-member assembly to form a government and that led to the formation of the BJP-led coalition government.
