Ahead of Friday's no-confidence motion against him in the state assembly, Meghalaya Chief Minister E K Mawlong, heading a minority government, on Thursday indicated he might step down even as NCP leader P A Sangma, trying to instal an alternative, met officiating Governor Arvind Dave.
Mawlong, whose government has been reduced to minority in the 60-member house, told a press conference in Shilong, "Even if I win the trial of strength in the assembly on Friday, I might not remain the Chief Minister."
Asked why he has refused to resign so far, Mawlong, who quit as leader of lead coalition partner United Democratic Party in favour of Revenue Minister H V Dan, said he wanted to answer to the allegations of corruption over the Meghalaya House deal during the discussion on the no-confidence motion against his government in the assembly. Dave, who is Arunachal Pradesh Governor, on Thursday took additional charge of Meghalaya after being sworn in at a simple ceremony by Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court R S Mongia at Raj Bhavan. Meghalaya governor M M Jacob is convalescing at the AIIMS in New Delhi
Among those who met Dave were NCP National General Secretary Purno A Sangma, instrumental in forming Parliamentary Forum of Meghalaya (PFM) as an alternative dispensation to Mawlong ministry. PFM leader Dr F A Khonglam, being projected as successor to Mawlong, also met Dave. Sangma's efforts to put together an alternative had suffered delay with Jacob taking ill and being shifted to Delhi for treatement. Bureau Report