Mukul in national capital; likely to meet Sonia
SHILLONG/ NEW DELHI: While a group of dissident Congress leaders are hell bent on his ouster, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, on Friday dismissed any threat to his chair.
“There is no threat to my chair,” the Chief Minister told newsmen before leaving for New Delhi.
He also denied that he was going to the national capital to meet AICC leaders. “I am visiting Delhi with matters concerning the growth and development of the State. I would brief the media on the purpose of my visit when I return,” the Chief Minister said.
He also said that he did not have time to talk about internal rumblings within the Congress since he was too preoccupied with the ‘affairs of the State’.
It is, however, not known whether Sangma has sought an appointment or has been summoned by party president Sonia Gandhi who has already met leaders of the dissident group – former Chief Ministers D.D. Lapang and S.C. Marak.
Apparently, the Chief Minister has no scheduled official engagement in the national capital. Initial reports had indicated that Sangma was scheduled to meet Sonia on Friday evening.
The Chief Minister’s scheduled meeting with the party chief comes against the backdrop of the dissidents’ meeting with the AICC high command seeking Sangma’s removal as Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, the dissident group is busy planning strategies to garner more numbers to place their bid before the AICC for a change of leadership.
The whole issue of change of guard now circles over the ‘number game’ while earlier it used to be the AICC prerogative.
Incidentally, Lok Sabha member from Shillong, Vincent H. Pala, whose nomination for a second term, election campaign and ultimate victory, was a turning point in the rise of dissident activities, left for Guwahati on Friday.