SHILLONG: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president DD Lapang on Monday defended the dissolution of the seven Block Congress Committees by saying it was done to strengthen the party units with no intention to expel any MLAs, who are usually the presidents of the block units.
The veteran leader said the dissolution would not affect the party’s poll prospects. “There was a need to revamp and make it functional. We intend to make it better as we saw that there will be an effect,” he told reporters.
MPCC acted on reports received from district units and “we took their report as genuine and then we dissolved the block committees”, he said but added, “We change the BCCs if they are not functioning well but it does not mean that we have expelled anyone… That is a wrong conception.”
Replying to the allegations that he dissolved the block committees on his own accord, Lapang said, “As an MPCC president, I take the responsibility. I acted upon report that I had received. It is for the welfare of the party that MPCC decides.”
When asked whether some more block committees will be dissolved, he said, “If we see the need to do so, we will do. It only means to revamp and make it functional. It is nonsense to say that dissolution will weaken the party.”
The Congress has dissolved seven Block Committees — Mawkyrwat, Nartiang, Umroi, Mairang, Mawkynrew, Mawryngkneng and the latest being Pynursla.
No dearth of candidates
On exodus of MLAs and other party members, the senior leader said those who were not comfortable in the Congress would have to think about their career. “They have their independent way of thinking… Why should the Congress stand in their way? I send them my blessings.”
The MPCC president said there was no dearth of substitutes in the party even in the midst of Congress workers deserting its camp. “We have got sufficient candidates to contest,” he said.
