Meet Shah, face action: Cong warns legislators

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president DD Lapang has warned Congress MLAs of action if they meet BJP chief Amit Shah during his visit to the city to inaugurate the party’s office later this month.
The warning by Lapang has come in the wake of Congress MLA AL Hek’s revelation that he would attend the inauguration of the BJP office in Shillong if invited.
Lapang however did not elaborate on what action would be taken against the MLAs who meet Shah.
According to BJP, seven MLAs from the ruling government including Congress MLAs are scheduled to meet Shah on September 28 to discuss plans to join the saffron party.
Lapang told reporters on Tuesday that he tried to call Hek after reading a media report but he could not be contacted.
Hek had earlier said he would consult his supporters and leaders before taking a call whether he should return to the BJP or not.
Lapang also asserted that no one is indispensable in the Congress.
“I have this belief that no one is indispensable in the Congress party, in the MPCC in Meghalaya, including DD Lapang,”
“I don’t have such thinking, I am sorry. A leader is not to be chosen by himself, a leader should be chosen by the MLAs,” he replied when asked whether he would accept the chief minister’s post again.
In his 45-year-old political journey, Lapang was elected chief minister of the state four times.
The MPCC chief said he has been chief minister many times and that he never struggled anywhere anytime or raised his voice.
Disgruntled members of the party had earlier made several attempts to oust incumbent Chief Minister Mukul Sangma but failed.
Maintaining that the Congress was a disciplined party, the former chief minister said the party members were disciplined soldiers and would accept freely and willingly any responsibility or service when needed.
“If they (high command) say you have to be there and take the responsibility, we take any responsibility as a soldier,” Lapang said.
Asked what if in the CLP, majority of MLAs want him to be the leader, Lapang said, “Don’t create confusion that Lapang will now fight with Mukul… I am a disciplined soldier and for anything directed by the party, I am there.”