SHILLONG: The newly-appointed Chief Advisor to the Government, DD Lapang who had recently resigned from the Congress, has asserted that he would be the big uncle of the NPP led-MDA Government even as he made it clear that he wanted a free hand to serve the state while being appointed as the Chief Advisor
Talking to media persons here on Friday, a day after the Government appointed Lapang as the Chief Advisor, he reiterated that he decided to resign from the Congress because of its policy of setting aside the senior leaders to pave way for young leaders
“ I don’t agree with this idea of setting aside old leaders as there are cases where a man of 95 years can run as the Chief Minister,” he added while adding that the phasing out senior leaders from the party is not acceptable to him.
According to Lapang, senior leaders like Oscar Fernandes, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Ambika Soni have been sidelined and they are no longer in the limelight
“I want to be a man to serve the people . I do not want to be a backbencher and hence I decided to resign,” Lapang said while adding that he has done his best to see that the party does well.
He also pointed out that he would welcome any groups, agency or Association if his hands were strengthened and he was allowed to serve the people.
When asked about the recent accusations of Congress that the veteran leader left the party for pecuniary gains, he added that that it was an irresponsible statement and the party leaders who have made the statement should see his track record of being five time chief minister, ten times cabinet minister and three-time Deputy Chief Minister.
“Let them see my track record and corner me if I have done anything wrong and I challenge if they can charge me with anything. I am here for service and not money,” an angry Lapang added.
Reacting to a query about the accusations that he was involved in toppling game, the veteran leader denied such charge while maintaining that he has no enemy and he was never involved in such toppling games.
“I am the eldest and if my younger brother wanted something I gave them willingly,” he added.