SHILLONG: In a swift political development, the strength of the camp of the rebel Congress legislators demanding a change of leadership in CLP has swelled to as many as 20 — 16 from Khasi Hills region and 4 from Garo Hills.
A party source said on Monday that fearing a repeat of Tura by-poll in 2018 Assembly polls in the state, the legislators are all out to effect a change in CLP to ensure that the party legislators do not face the similar fate.
The Congress candidate Dikkanchi Shira lost in 23 out of the total 24 Assembly segments in the by-poll to Tura Lok Sabha seat.
Sources said that with the non- Congress parties gaining ground after the victory of BJP in Assam and post-Tura poll outcome, there is no other way for the state Congress than to install a new leader.
The dissident legislators wanted the Chief Minister to step down gracefully before they aggressively campaign for his ouster. However, sources said that the rebels are yet to zero in on the next leader though the names of DD Lapang, Prestone Tynsong, RC Laloo and SC Marak are doing the rounds.
