Imphal: Okram Ibobi Singh was on Wednesday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur for the third consecutive time at the Raj Bhawan.
Governor Gurbhachan Jagat administered the oath to Ibobi who took it in Manipuri.
The newly elected MLAs also took oath at the Assembly complex.
Pro tem Speaker L Nandakumar administered the oath.
Congress state president Gaikhangam, party’s central observer L Faliero, newly elected MLAs and senior officials attended the ceremony.
A number of senior Congress members who were to be sworn in along with Ibobi Singh could not take the oath because the names could not be finalised.
Ibobi Singh did not speak to the press and left for his official residence immediately after taking oath.
Senior Congress leaders like former forest minister Th Debendra, state congress leader Gaikhangam and former irrigation minister Phungzathang who were present during the swearing in ceremony and were expected to be sworn in left Raj Bhavan after the chief minister.
Sources close to Ibobi Singh said the Chief Minister wanted representatives from all the nine districts to be included in the ministry.
Singh later said the expectations of the people are high as he has been elected for the third time.
“I cannot give any excuse now. I have to perform well,” he said.
Expansion of his ministry will take place within a week, he assured and hinted that he will not be holding all the key portfolios this time.
Top priority will be given to maintaining law and order, he added.
“Serious thought will be given to the dismal power situation in the state. The electricity department may be converted into a corporation and partial privatisation may not be ruled out. The government is seriously working hard to provide 20 hours of power daily,” he said.
Speaking of challenges ahead he said the major hurdle in taking up power related work was collection of taxes and uncleared due had touched about Rs 300 crores. Providing safe drinking water, beefing up the health sector will also receive top priority, he added.
Singh was on Tuesday elected as CLP leader and he staked his claim to form the new Ministry.
The Congress bagged 42 of the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly.
Singh was born on July 19, 1948 to Okram Angoubi Singh and Lukamani Devi at Thoubal Athokpam in Thoubal district.
In 1984, he won as an Independent candidate from Khangabok seat in Thoubal district. In 1990, Ibobi was re-elected as a Congress candidate. He became Minister-in-Charge of Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development.
He became the 11th Chief Minister of Manipur on March 7, 2002 and since then he is continuing in the same post. Since 2007 he is representing Thoubal while his wife O Landhoni is representing Khangabok Assembly constituency. (Agencies)