From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: The Congress high command might ask Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to drop Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar from the Cabinet for his “anti-party” activities.
The high command has taken up the matter with Sangma and other top leaders and a decision may be taken after the chief minister comes back from Belgium, said sources in the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
The chief minister was aware of the development as the Jowai Block Congress Committee (JBCC) had sent a copy of its complaint against Dhar to him, besides the party’s State chief D.D Lapang.
The AICC action followed after party vice-president Rahul Gandhi called for a report on issues which might dent the Congress’s image and prospects in the North East.
Dhar, during a public meeting, had repeatedly said he would field his candidate from Jowai, which is represented by five-term MLA and Deputy Chief Minister R.C Laloo.
“Various units under JBCC have reported that Dhar had come to their locality and announced that he would field a candidate from Jowai constituency and asked people for their support,” the complaint letter stated. It added that Dhar had conducted several meetings and publicly challenged Laloo saying his candidate would face the veteran leader.
Both JBCC and Laloo brought the matter to the notice of the State and the central leadership.
Asserting that such activities would tarnish the image of the Congress, the Jowai block unit said the party should take strong action “by dropping this minister from the Cabinet and withdrawing all posts that he is holding and also party proceeding should be drawn against him”.
This was not the first instance when Dhar went against the party candidate, party sources said. In the last Lok Sabha polls, Dhar and his brother, Ngaitlang Dhar actively supported the independent candidate against sitting MP Vincent H. Pala. AICC sources said then General Secretary in charge of Meghalaya Luizinho Faleiro even called a meeting and cautioned Dhar against such anti-party activities. One report said the minister assured never to repeat the same.