From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: Former chief minister Mukul Sangma met DD Lapang here on Saturday and persuaded him to withdraw his resignation but his predecessor sternly refused.
There is no question of taking back the resignation, Lapang told Mukul, AICC sources said.
The CLP leader who was advised by party president Rahul Gandhi to meet the veteran leader went back to Meghalaya after his efforts failed.
The sources also said Rahul was keen to meet Lapang over reconsidering his resignation. “But even that was turned down by the senior-most leader during the one-hour-long meeting since he was in no mood to go back from his extreme step,” they added.
Rahul last met Lapang in Meghalaya House when he was not well and was under treatment in New Delhi. Shillong MP Vincent H Pala unsuccessfully tried to persuade Lapang to come back to party.
Our Reporter adds:
The state Congress leadership is eagerly waiting for a final word on Lapang’s resignation from the high command.
The state Congress spokesperson, HM Shangpliang, said on Saturday the party was waiting for a response from the AICC regarding the resignation of Lapang.
Earlier on Friday, Lapang refused to withdraw his resignation letter even after repeated attempts by AICC leaders to convince him to re-consider his decision.
“We continued to reach out to him so also the leaders from Delhi, but we have not received any feedback,” Shangpliang said.
When asked whether the AICC accepted the resignation of Lapang, Pala, who is camping in Delhi, messaged, “No idea.” Lapang quit the party expressing displeasure over AICC ignoring senior leaders.
However, the sudden decision of Lapang, who had termed himself as the disciplined soldier of the party, has surprised and shocked leaders and party members.