AICC leader to visit Shillong today; decision on Dhar likely

NEW DELHI: A decision on whether Cabinet Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar will be dropped from the Cabinet is likely to be taken during AICC general secretary C.P Joshi’s trip to the city.
When contacted, Joshi, who is reaching Shillong on Friday, said his visit is part of the programmes of the State Congress where he will meet ministers, MLAs and other party leaders in the State.
“There is no specific issue to be discussed but I will review the state of affairs in Meghalaya,” he added.
However, sources in the party said the main subject of discussion will be the complaint of anti-party activities against Dhar.
The Jowai Block Congress Committee and Deputy Minister R.C Laloo had complained to the State leadership against Dhar for drumming up support for his brother-in-law in Jowai constituency that is represented by Laloo.
Dhar’s brother-in-law, W. Shylla, is a Congress ticket aspirant.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has not spoken on this controversy. MPCC president D.D Lapang, who was camping in Delhi earlier this week, is somewhat playing an ambient role on this issue, the party sources said.
Both Mukul and Lapang had several rounds of meetings in Delhi but what transpired is not yet known.
Surprisingly, Shillong M.P Vincent H. Pala, who had also complained against the minister, is not joining Joshi in his Shillong trip. Last week, Joshi and Pala met AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi on this vexed issue.
But an unnerved Congress is trying to retain Meghalaya from a marauding BJP. Ironically, Joshi continues to remain in charge of all these northeastern states as AICC general secretary despite a sapte of electoral losses.