CLP meet finally held, Leadership issue resolved
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG:The political rumblings within the Congress party have finally settled down all as the CLP members have expressed their confidence on the leadership of the incumbent Chief Minister.
After a long gap, the CLP meeting was finally convened by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday evening where the majority of Congress leaders attended the meeting and all seemed happy with the present setup.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Dr Sangma said, “The members have expressed their confidence in the present CLP leadership with a purpose to serve the people and address the issues facing the State.”
However, three members of the CLP, namely Sayeedullah Nongrum, Nehlang Lyngdoh and Stanleywiss Rymbai remained absent from the important CLP meeting.
When asked why the three legislators were absent, the Chief Minister said the three absentee leaders had already written a letter indicating their inability to attend the CLP meeting.
“It is not possible for every member to attend the meeting,” he added.
Surprisingly, three non Congress members including AT Mondal, Limison Sangma and Ismail Marak also attended the CLP meeting.
The Chief Minister, however, maintained that they are the associate members of the CLP and this practice has been followed by the party over the years mainly for seeking suggestions on various issues.
Reacting to a query about a possible reshuffle in the State Cabinet as senior members from Garo Hills have been dropped from the Ministry, the Chief Minister hinted that there may be another reshuffle to accommodate all the members of the party in the State Cabinet. “It’s a matter of creating space and we will give the opportunity to all to effectively serve the people of the State,” Dr Sangma added while talking to reporters after the CLP meeting.
The State CLP was also hopeful that there will be unity of purpose within the Congress party before and during the upcoming Assembly session. During the last session many Congress leaders questioned the Government’s actions on the various development issues.
The CLP meeting also dwelt at length on various other matters affecting the State including the international boundary, border dispute with Assam, the issue of influx and implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) in the State.
Meanwhile, the CLP also resolved that the party would ask different religious leaders of the State to conduct special prayers for UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who is currently recuperating following a surgery in the USA earlier this month.
Dr Sangma said, “We will ask the different religious leaders to conduct special prayers for her as the country and the party needs her leadership.”