AICC may announce new MPCC chief’s name next week
From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: In a surprise yet politically significant move, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Monday night proposed his bête noirie and predecessor DD Lapang’s name for the post of president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).
Talking to The Shillong Times here, Dr Sangma said services of the senior leaders like Lapang should be utilised in the party.
The former Chief Minister arrived in Meghalaya House here on Sunday night from Shillong.
On the other hand, Dr Sangma returned to New Delhi from his Belgium trip on the same night along with the Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong.
“I have proposed Lapang’s name to the AICC,” Dr Sangma said.
When asked what made him propose Lapang’s name for the MPCC top post, Dr Sangma said besides being vastly experienced, Lapang would be acceptable to all in the State. “In democracy we have to reach to all and take everybody with us,” Dr Sangma said.
Earlier in the day, he also had a meeting with senior AICC leader Oscar Fernandes and others to express his opinion.
“Now it is for the party high command to take the final call,” the Chief Minister said.
Meanwhile, Congress sources informed that the AICC general secretary in-charge Meghalaya Dr Dhaniram Shandil held a closed door meeting with Dr Sangma to discuss the issue of the next MPCC president on Monday evening.
Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent H Pala and Dr Shandil’s deputy Sanjay Bapna were also present.
“The meeting lasted for more than three hours,” Congress sources said.
Both Dr Shandil and Bapna are likely to arrive in Shillong either on April 23 or 24, sources said adding “The two AICC leaders are also expected to make the announcement about the new MPCC chief”.
Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi while accepting Friday Lyngdoh’s resignation expressed her thanks to the senior leader. She acknowledged Friday’s long innings in the party and the state.
“I wish you well and thank you for being a committed and loyal colleague,” she said in her communication to the veteran politician. Lyngdoh had submitted his resignation to Dr Shandil and Bapna, during their visit to the State last month. There has been speculation for quite some time now that Lyngdoh, owing to his ill health, wanted to relinquish his post. There are also indications that Lyngdoh may not contest the next year’s Assembly polls in the State on account of his deteriorating health condition. It may be noted that Deborah Marak is currently officiating as the MPCC working president. (With inputs from Our Reporter)