D.D. Lapang

Shillong, March 6: Though a revolt is brewing inside the Congress in Meghalaya, which is the leading coalition partner in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, the AICC is unwilling to dislodge D.D. Lapang as chief minister.

Differences within the Meghalaya Congress over Lapang?s leadership as chief minister and chief of the party?s legislative wing are becoming sharper. But the AICC has made it clear that it will not allow the present dispensation to be disturbed.

Sources inside the Congress said ?a group of 18 legislators is planning to revolt? against Lapang and some of his close aides. The 18 MLAs are propping up senior Congress legislator J.D. Rymbai as an alternative to Lapang. They are even said to have written to AICC chairperson Sonia Gandhi seeking her intervention.

Though these legislators do not want to come out and speak out openly against Lapang, their contention is that the current chief minister has failed to deliver and his governance has done precious little for the interests of the people of the state.

The Congress has a total of 29 legislators in the 60-member Meghalaya House. Rymbai is currently the parliamentary affairs and tourism minister.

But as a high-level AICC source put it, ?The AICC leadership is not at all interested in any kind of change in Meghalaya as the Assam elections are near. Any dissent in one state over the leadership issue could affect the party?s poll prospects there. We must not forget that Meghalaya and Assam are neighbours.?

The AICC is likely to depute senior members Mabel Rebello and Oscar Fernandez, who are looking after Meghalaya, to talk to the group seeking a leadership change. Rebello has reportedly discussed the issue with Meghalaya PCC president O.L. Nongtdu and asked him to provide regular feedback to her.

?The preoccupation of most of the top Congress leaders with elections in three states? is being seen as a reason for the AICC?s refusal to discuss the leadership change in Meghalaya.

Nongtdu told mediapersons that he was aware of the move by some MLAs to remove Lapang as the leader. ?We know about it, but I can assure you we are comfortable and no changes will take place. The present government under the present leader will complete its term,? he said.