Dissidents hell-bent on leadership change
SHILLONG: The AICC which is affected by the back-to-back defeats in last several elections may go slow on the demand of the dissidents to effect a change of leadership in Meghalaya.
The party sources admitted that the AICC is yet to overcome those defeats, so it would take some more time to address the problem of Meghalaya CLP.
However, the dissidents want an early solution to the leadership issue “since the matter has been lingering for a long time”.
Several party legislators are skeptical about the outcome of the visit of the AICC general secretary in charge Meghalaya CP Joshi who is scheduled arrive here on July 5 to hold discussion with legislators and party workers.
According to them, similar exercise was carried out by his predecessor V. Narayanasamy who had met the legislators who were not happy with the style and functioning of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma after the dual post Bill was passed in the House last year without proper consultations with the legislators. The meeting of the AICC leader ended in submitting his report to the High Command.
However, a section of the dissidents now is of the view that if the AICC does not effect change of leadership, they will not shy away from taking extreme step to send Sangma packing.
Sources said that the dissidents are exploring all options to ensure that Sangma does not continue to be in power.
The fear of the majority of legislators is that if Sangma continues to be in power, this will affect the poll prospects of the party in 2018 Assembly polls due to heavy anti- incumbency as the people are not happy with the performance of the present government.
Complaints against CM sent to Delhi
Several complaints have reached Delhi from the legislators against the Chief Minister after his wife’s defeat in the Tura by poll.
The complaints range from the usual late arrival of the Chief Minister to attend official functions and the office in Secretariat to lack of consultations with senior party leaders including former Chief Ministers DD Lapang and SC Marak on issues of importance.
Moreover, sources said that there is hardly any consultation with his Cabinet colleagues on important issues even as the meeting of Congress Legislature Party to discuss the grievances of the legislators is not frequent.
The dissidents are also annoyed over the over dependence of the Chief Minister on officers.
“It is a serious matter that a few IAS officers from the state spend half of the month in Delhi and clear the files from there with the blessings of the Chief Minister”, a legislator said.
According to party sources, the Government and the party is in a dilemma over the style of functioning of the Chief Minister which if not immediately addressed will destroy the party in the 2018 polls.