From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: After DD Lapang downplayed the impact of exodus on the ruling Congress party, MPCC working president Vincent H Pala, who met Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, also dismissed speculations that the exit would affect the party in the Assembly elections.
The newly elected MPCC president, Celestine Lyngdoh, also met Gandhi on Wednesday.
“Most of these MLAs were not with the Congress earlier and joined the party at a later stage,” the Shillong MP said as he cited the example of AL Hek, who was in BJP before joining the Congress, and Sanbor Shullai, who was from NCP.
“In any case such legislators and independents were supporting the Congress from outside and had left the government earlier,” Pala added.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) advisor and former chief minister, DD Lapang, had downplayed the desertions of key party members, including some legislators and maintained that the party stands united.
Commenting on the voices of dissension within the party calling for the replacement of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Lapang said that the change of leadership was discussed with the All India Congress Committee (AICC) but there was no consensus on the new leader. Stating that AICC cannot be blamed, he pointed to the disunity among the MLAs in projecting a new leader.
The beleaguered party is trying to put up new faces in its preparation for the Assembly elections.
When asked about the new faces in the elections, Lapang cited the names of Dr Jelington Ryndong who is set to face sitting MLA Prestone Tynsong, retired IAS officers HM Shangpliang and Jopthiaw Lyngdoh will contest against PN Syiem and Sniawbhalang Dhar, respectively, while George Lyngdoh will face Ngaitlang Dhar.
AICC leader CP Joshi and newly appointed coordinators for Meghalaya were present during the meeting with Gandhi.
