Ruling alliance in Meghalaya to hold crucial meeting

Shillong, Apr 23 (UNI) A crucial meeting of ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) will be held on April 24 amid a raging controversy over the appointment of a former bureaucrat as the Chairman of the Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB).

Though no agenda had been fixed for the meeting, MDA sources said discussions would centre round the widespread protests following the cabinet decision to appoint former state Chief Secretary Mr P J Bazeley as the MeSEB Chairman.

To protest the government move, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) had already observed a three-day office picketing from April 18 to 20 that paralysed the normal functioning of the government offices and financial institutions in the Meghalaya capital.

The KSU had accused the government of 'favouritism' in appointing a retired government official.

Following the office picketing, the students union had declared a four-night road blockade from April 24. The bloackade - to be forced from 1900 hrs to 0600 hrs each day - will affect four districts of East and West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi.

While the Opposition parties BJP and NCP had also opposed the appointment, several MLAs of the ruling alliance were reported to be against the cabinet move.

Congress MLA and former Home Minister Mr R G Lyngdoh had earlier come up openly criticising the government on the issue.

UNI SG-PRS-SJC-AKP1104