SHILLONG: The opposition Congress is not in a hurry to effect any change either in MPCC or CLP.
Party sources said while new functionaries for the MPCC will be elected internally in due course of time, the CLP which has 19 MLAs in the House of 60, wants to play the role of a constructive opposition in the absence of any alternative equation emerging.
A state Congress leader said on Sunday that only after the central leadership issue is resolved, the state leaders will try to effect a change in the party set-up.
The AICC leader in-charge, Meghalaya, Luizinho Faleiro recently met the state party functionaries and legislators to strengthen the party.
Though the meeting did not discuss about any change in MPCC or CLP, Faleiro’s reply to questions of media persons about any change in CLP was that it was up to the legislators to decide on the matter.
He had also denied any division within the Congress over the defeat of the party both in Tura Lok Sabha seat and Selsella assembly by-poll.
However, there is unhappiness among some leaders over the inability of the Congress to retain Selsella seat which would have taken the party’s seat tally to 20.
Though the party members had not openly spoken against CLP leader Mukul Sangma for the twin defeats, the party had expected him to take responsibility for the defeat, sources added.
Congress leader Charles Pyngrope said the organisational elections are due and there will be election of office bearers.
No merger
To a question, Pyngrope said there was no question of any merger with UDP or other political parties.
“We are a solid group of 19 and we are open to having alliance with any likeminded parties but for now, we will play the role of an effective opposition”, he said.
Earlier, the UDP had claimed that several Congress MLAs were in touch with the regional party.
Pyngrope ruled out any immediate possibility of change of government as the alliance partners in the MDA (Meghalaya Democratic Alliance) appear to be united.
The key to any government formation is with the UDP-HSPDP alliance.
The UDP has seven legislators and two associate members and two HSPDP members will have to go with UDP as they were pre-poll alliance partners.
Their total number will be 11.
Even if Congress wants to forge an alliance with UDP-HSPDP combine, the party will still need one more member for a simple majority to form the government.
Besides the difficulty in gaining the numerical strength, sources said with the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, any move to effect change of government in the state would turn out to be futile.