Shillong: With the intervention of the
AICC, the revolt in Meghalaya Congress has been temporarily
brought under control as the legislators brace for a six-day
assembly session from tomorrow.
"The AICC has asked the Congress legislators to remain
united and further discussions would take place after the
assembly session," a close aide of Chief Minister D D Lapang
said after the latter met Congress president Sonia Gandhi's
Political Secretary Ahmed Patel and AICC secretary in-charge
of Meghalaya Luizinho Falerio in New Delhi last night.
Lapang held talks with the AICC top brass after nine
rebel Congress MLAs demanded that three Independent
legislators and the lone MLA from Khyun Hynniewtrep National
Awakening Movement (KHNAM) be dropped and senior Congress MLAs
accommodated in the Congress-led government.
The rebel MLAs contended that they should be given a
berth in the ministry and the three Independents and KHNAM MLA
Paul Lyngdoh be dropped, as the Congress and its ally United
Democratic Party had enough numbers to provide a stable
government.
"We have aired our grievances to the AICC leaders. We
are hopeful of getting a positive response," one of the
disgruntled MLAs said.
Lapang had inducted the three independents - A T
Mondol, Ismail R Marak and Limison Sangma - and the lone KHNAM
MLA into his 12-member ministry as they were instrumental in
dislodging the previous NCP-led government last year. However,
only six Congress MLAs have found berths in Lapang's ministry.
The ruling alliance enjoys the support of 44 MLAs - 27
from Congress, 10 from UDP, two from Hill State People's
Democratic Party, one from Khyun Hynniewtrep National
Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and four Independents.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 17:48