Thaindian News

Shillong, May 16 (IANS) Sharp differences again surfaced in the Congress’ Meghalaya unit Monday over the demand by rebel Congress legislators for the removal of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

The rift came to the fore during a news conference when Friday Lyngdoh, the state unit chief and working president Debora C. Marak contradicted each other over the issue.

Lyngdoh, who had briefed Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the political situation in the state, said that there would be no change of leadership.

“Sonia Gandhi is not in favour of frequent change of leadership since it hampers the development process as well as the good momentum of governance,” Lyngdoh said.

“We cannot afford for frequent change (of leadership). Therefore, elected representatives are responsible leaders and their first obligication should be towards the people,” he added.

Lyngdoh said the party legislators should air their grievances against any minister or legislator within the party’s grievances committee for redress of their problems.

Marak, however, argued that the leadership issue could be sorted out only in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting.

“In this situation, a direction for holding of CLP has to come from the AICC. It is up to madam (Gandhi) when she will send her team. We are from MPCC and we cannot issue any direction,” Marak stated.

At this, Lyngdoh thumped the table and said: “I am the president of the party and the AICC president has made it clear that there is no question of change of leadership.”

At least 18 of the 28 Congress legislators in the 60-member state assembly are believed to have projected former chief minister D.D. Lapang as a possible successor to Sangma.

However, a Congress legislator claimed that a CLP would be held soon to put to an end this month-long political stalemate which has brought the functioning of the state administration to a standstill.

“I am sure that madam (Sonia Gandhi) will issue a directive to Sangma to convene a CLP meeting to resolve the issue once and for all,” the Congress legislator told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Sangma, who is heading a four-party government, has exuded confidence that he would complete his term.

Meghalaya has seen nine governments with varied combinations, resulting in eight chief ministers between 1998 and 2009. Since Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972, only two chief ministers have completed a full five-year term.