SHILLONG: The Congress, which has been criticised for its weak leadership following the resignation of DD Lapang, has gone offensive with a senior leader, for the first time, making harsh comments against the veteran politician and blaming him for internal bickering.
Congress spokesperson Zenith Sangma said on Thursday that DD Lapang “is not a stable man” and he resigned from the party to join the NPP.
Talking to media persons here on Thursday, Zenith said when Lapang lost the election in 1993, the Congress accommodated him in the government and he was made the chairman of the State Planning Commission. “He was even given a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha election in 1996 which he unfortunately lost,” he added.
Zenith even said that Lapang might be given the position of advisor to the chief minister or a ticket for the Lok Sabha election if he joined the NPP.
The Congress legislator from Rangsakona denounced Lapang for pulling out of the general elections in February because “the party had to search for a new candidate in Nongpoh” at the last moment.
To a query on sidelining Lapang, Zenith opposed the former chief minister’s claims that he was replaced with a younger leader for the post of MPCC president.
“DD Lapang himself went to Delhi and told AICC to relieve him from the post since his health was not good and he was the one suggested the name of Dr Celestine Lyngdoh as the president of the MPCC,” he said. “Since Congress is not in government what accommodation can the party give him other than the posts in the party? But still he relinquished the post of the MPCC president,” he added. Terming Lapang as an unstable man, Zenith said whenever Lapang was an MLA, the party had witnessed infighting and leadership issues.
“When DD Lapang did not win the election in 1993, there was no infighting and Salseng Sangma, who was the chief minister, completed his full term without any disruption because DD Lapang was not an MLA,” he added.
The Congress leader predicted that Lapang would join the NPP and “we will not be surprised” because he went to New Delhi to tender his resignation with NPP leaders. He also cited the possibilities of Lapang getting a “political appointment like advisor to the chief minister”.
“The NPP does not have a face and leadership and it won’t be a surprise if NPP makes DD Lapang their prospective candidate for Lok Sabha election from Shillong,” he added.
Lapang’s allegation that the AICC was phasing out senior leaders was an “excuse” to quit the party, Zenith explained and pointed out that when he was with the Congress, he was fine with Rahul Gandhi but “now he is raising questions about his (Rahul’s) leadership”.
“But mark my words, Congress will lead the coalition next year and Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister,” he added with confidence.
The senior Congress leader denied allegations that there was a leadership crisis in the party saying these remarks were made by some individuals who were feeling threatened.
He also said the party leaders and MLAs are happy with the leadership of Mukul Sangma and they all are intact and committed to working under his leadership.
When asked about the recent desertions in the party, Zenith said only a handful of people have left the party because the party took action against them for their corrupt practices or involvement in infighting”.
“We are not regretting that they have left the party and the party took some action to clear the dirt,” he added.
Zenith cited the example of Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Dhar, who was made the minister in charge PWD for more than three years, has construction companies and they have pending bills worth more than Rs 300 crore, which is the reflection of corrupt practice, he said.
Dhar left the Congress before the Assembly elections and contested on NPP ticket.
