From C K Nayak
New Delhi: Shillong MP Vincent H Pala who had thrown his hat in the ongoing Sangma-Syiem duel, on Wednesday met the party president Sonia Gandhi and apprised her about the Supreme Court order upholding the rights of the traditional bodies to the discomfort of the state Government.
“She was happy at the judicial intervention on the sensitive and controversial issue,” Pala told The Shillong Times after the meeting.
The volatile case was taken up in the apex court with the full knowledge of the AICC top leaders, Pala said.
The issue has created considerable embarrassment to the Congress party which was ruling both in the state and in the Khasi Hills Autonomous Disrcit Council.
The CEM of the KHADC had met both Sonia Gandhi and the party vice-president Rahul Gandhi who had assured him “justice” but have not interfered in the vexed issue so far.
There have been reports of and on that the high command would summon both the Chief Minister and the CEM and settle the matter amicably. But the same has not been done till date.
The move of the Government was “sudden” and untimely, he said.
“An attempt was made by some disgruntled members from our own party to bring down his popularity,” he added in a terse statement.
P.N. Syiem is also an MLA who was elected as member of the District Council and went on to become the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council all on recommendations of the AICC and the state party unit, Pala stated.
A paradoxical situation on the ground and repeat defeats in the recent polls in the Hill State has put the ruling Congress on the defensive despite having a record majority in the Assembly.
In a hard hitting statement Pala breathed fire on the chief minister saying that the intention of the amended Bill is purely to get rid of the CEM from his office fearing his principle and popularity.