|
Meghalaya : Chief Minister Lapang firmly in saddle |
 |
The political crisis in the ruling Congress in Meghalaya appears to have ended with the AICC making it clear that Chief Minister D.D. Lapang would remain the leader of the Congress Legislature Party.
The decision was announced in Shillong by AICC general secretary Ramesh Chennithala on January 7.
Lapang’s 20-month government was under threat following a rebellion within the Congress and other constituents of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA). Many Congress legislators had launched an anti-Lapang campaign and even sent petitions to the AICC.
However, curtains were drawn on the political drama on January 7 and Chennithala told reporters that “there will be no change of leadership” at this juncture. “Lapang is the most suitable person to lead the State,” he declared. Lapang appeared to be more relaxed and spoke without any inhibitions to reporters. He said he would try and redress the grievances of his fellow legislators.
Admitting that there were “omissions and commissions” in the running of the government, he quipped: “Taking responsibility is to take blame.”
In another significant development, senior Congress leader and Urban Affairs Minister Lyngdoh tendered his resignation. The move is being seen as a bid to help the Chief Minister to clear the present mess. It confirmed that a reshuffle will be made in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) cabinet soon.
Lapang, however, refused to comment on the reshuffle, but dropped hints that two ministers from his cabinet would be dropped to accommodate two new faces
The MDA also formed a co-ordination committee to “defuse the simmering discontent” among a wide section of MDA legislators. It will comprise members of all the constituents of the ruling coalition and will be headed by PCC President Salseng C. Marak.
Chennithala said the committee would be privy to all major policy decisions of the government and make suggestions if required. He said AICC President Sonia Gandhi has also constituted a co-ordination committee, comprising members of the Congress Legislature Party and the PCC, of which he would be the convener.
Crisis deepens ?
However, according to some reports, the political crisis in the state has deepened with several Congress legislators refusing to accept the AICC’s decision to let D.D. Lapang continue as Chief Minister. An emergency meeting of all the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) partners at the Chief Minister’s official residence only contributed to the impasse, failing to reach any decision.
The meeting which was attended by all MDA leaders and AICC general secretary Northeast in-charge Ramesh Chennithala and secretary Mabel Rebello, ended in confusion with Lapang claiming that he was “not in the wrong” and that his leadership cannot be challenged.
Even as Lapang was claiming that there is no threat to his leadership, AICC secretary Rebello told reporters that “there is a leadership crisis”.
|
