Shillong Sept 13: Former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and veteran Congress leader, D.D. Lapang on Thursday quit the party and accused the AICC of “embarking upon a policy of phasing out senior and elderly people.â€
The resignation of Lapang came as a blow to the opposition party in the Hill State. Lapang had been with the Congress for over 40 years and represented as MLA from Nongspoh constituency from 1972 to 2018.
In his long political innings, Lapang took oath as the Chief Minister of the state five times, and also became the president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee.
Lapang lost only once in the 1993 Assembly elections from Nongpoh. In the 2018 Assembly polls, he did not contest, and campaigned for young Congress leader, Mayrald Born Syiem who successfully won from Nongpoh constituency.
In a letter submitted to AICC president, Rahul Gandhi, Lapang alleged that lately, the AICC has been embarking upon a policy of phasing out senior and elderly people.
“In my opinion, it means that the service and contribution of senior and elderly is no longer useful to the party. Since the spirit and enthusiasm to work for the people is still burning inside me, this restriction frustrated and compelled me to be no longer comfortable to be in the party. With my present age and health condition, I have decided to continue serving the people of the country, my state and its people in the same manner wherever I am. Therefore, reluctantly and with my heavy heart, I would to discontinue my dedication towards the Congress party and I tender my resignation with immediate effect,†Lapang said in his letter to Gandhi.