Lapang in national capital with a ‘letter’ to Sonia
From CK Nayak
NEWDELHI: After a lull for half a decade, dissidence is all set to raise its ugly head once again within the ruling Congress in Meghalaya with several party men raising the demand for change of leadership following the humiliating defeat of the party in Tura Lok Sabha poll.
The AICC General Secretary in charge of Meghalaya V Narayanasamy held a series of meeting with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, the MPCC chief DD Lapang and two MPs from the state -Vincent Pala and Wansuk Syiem on Monday.
According to the party sources, the meeting decided to summon all the party ministers, MLAs and top party functionaries to Delhi to air whatever grievances they have against the leadership.
Lapang, who had put a brave face all along, held a long discussion with the Chief Minister here about the state of affairs of the party specially the defeat of the party in Tura by-poll.
Lapang is reportedly carrying a letter signed by several Ministers, MLAs and other senior party functionaries demanding replacement of Chief Minister. The MPCC chief, however, denied this.
The Chief Minister, who arrived here on Saturday, met the party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday and explained him the ground situation.
After the meeting with Rahul, the Chief Minister told The Shillong Times that he explained to him how false propaganda were spread to tarnish the image of the party before the polls.
Pala, who is considered as the ‘third pole’ after Sangma (and Lapang in Meghalaya Congress also held a meeting with AICC leaders and discussed about the state of affairs.
Lapang was closeted with Pala in AICC and Meghalaya House all throughout the day on Monday.
Since he was abroad as part of a parliamentary team, he was not aware of the goings on in Meghalaya, Pala said later.
The party men wanted change of guard sighting series of defeat both in Garo hills and Khasi Hills during the second innings of Mukul Sangma.
After an impressive show in last Assembly polls and Chokpot win in between, the party lost twice in Tura, once in last district council polls in Garo Hills and the Nongstoin assembly by-poll under leadership of the Chief Minister, they point out.
In such a scenario and with Congress not in power at the Centre the party will not come back to power in 2018 assembly polls in the Hill state, the dissidents apprehend.
One of the dissident legislators, on condition of anonymity, said that the “dictatorial” style of functioning of the Chief Minister is alienating the party’s grass root leaders and workers.
The recent drubbing in Tura where the party lost in all Assembly segments barring Ampati has also been cited by the dissidents in the letter, sources said.
The BJP, whose presence in the past was insignificant in the state, is making its presence felt even in Garo Hills considered to be the bastion of Sangma, they added.
With the running battle over the Khasi District Autonomous Council although it is ruled by the same party, the Congress has not much chance in this part too, they said. The unresolved feud between the Chief Minister and the CEM will take a heavy toll on the party votes, the dissidents fear.
The dissidents are also upset over the avoidable fight between the Chief Minister and the traditional heads over power sharing. The crumbling economy following ban on coal mining in Meghalaya has also crippling effect in the state’s economy and dented the party’s vote share, they felt. The AICC leaders also counseled distraught partymen to have patience and not precipitate the weakening situation.