Shillong, Sept 14: The Opposition Congress on Friday denied that there will be party leaders including MLAs who would leave the party following the sudden resignation of veteran political leader and five times Chief Minister of the state, Donwa Dethwelson Lapang.
“I would absolutely deny this (allegation that there are MLAs who would leave the party),†Congress spokesperson and legislator from Mawsynram, Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang told reporters here on Friday.
Congress has 20 MLAs in the 60-member 10th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Stating that there was no truth in the rumours, Shangphliang referred to the just concluded Ranikor bye-election where former Congress MLA Martin M Danggo was defeated after he left the party.
“I am denying this completely because Ranikor is a big lesson for everybody (all MLAs). So it (allegation) is absolutely baseless,†Shangpliang said.
Whether there is a role of other political parties behind the sudden decision of Lapang, Shangpliang refused to comment.
“I need to gather some information and relating to his association (with other parties) or some other reasons, I need some time to dig out,†the Mawsynram MLA said.
Asked if Lapang’s resignation would affect the moral of the party in the upcoming Assembly session which will begin on September 21, Shangpliang said that the resignation of Lapang has nothing to do with the performances of party MLAs in Assembly.
“The performance of the MLAs in the House will be fully activated. We are all committed as we have been mandated by the people to work for them and we are there for the people.â€
Shangpliang also admitted that it was a shock for the party leaders on learning that Lapang had submitted his resignation letter wanting to leave the party.
Calling Lapang a “father figure†in the Congress party and the state, Shangpliang said, “we will miss him because the rank and file of the party has been in close association and in touch with him. We will have to see how we will get out of this in course of time.â€
Shangpliang also said that the party would try to convince the veteran leader to reconsider his decision.
“We sincerely hope that good sense will prevail with Lapang to reconsider his decision and remain in the party. I am told he would return on Sunday. We will definitely meet him as we are all waiting for his return and try to convince him,†he said.
Asked if Lapang had ever expressed his feelings in the past few days before submitting his resignation letter to AICC president, Rahul Gandhi, Shangpliang said, “There was no such expression. That is why, it has come as a big surprise as we are not aware or has no clue that he would take up such a decision.â€
Shangpliang said that the Leader of Opposition and CLP leader, Dr Mukul Sangma is in Songsak.
“I spoke to the CLP leader in the morning and that is why I addressed the media as per his direction,†Shangpliang added.
Lapang alleged the AICC of adopting a policy of phasing out senior and elderly people from the party.
