Rebel Congress legislators threatens to quit Assembly

Shillong, Jun 7 (UNI) At least 20 party legislators in Meghalaya today threatened to quit the Assembly if Chief Minister D D Lapang (Congress) refuses to step down.

The assembly session will be held from June 16.

Former Home Minister Robert Garnette Lyngdoh of the rebel group told UNI here that they would prefer to settle the score amicably within the party to bring a no confidence motion against the Lapang-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).

''We may resign, if Mr Lapang does not step down'', said Mr Lyngdoh.

However, he made it clear that their group ''do not have any intention of splitting the Congress in the state''.

He said the group will not ''compromise'' this time on the ''change of leadership'' issue.

The senior congress leader hoped that Mr Lapang would ''gracefully'' appreciate the ''majority decision'' to avoid setting a bad precedence.

In the past, he said, the Congress legislators had given ample chances to Mr Lapang to ''correct'' his style of functioning adding, the latter instead of ''changing'' took ''undue advantage'' of the faith reposed on him.

Charging the chief minister with not maintaining transparency, Mr Lyngdoh said, '' He (Mr Lapang) has taken many unilateral decisions on various issues without consulting us.'' Mr Lyngdoh said they had informed Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee President Onwardly Nongtdu last night of their decision.

Meanwhile, last night, Mr Nongtdu rushed to Mr Charles Pyngrope's residence, where the rebel group assembled on June 5 night, to pacify the rebel group.

The MPCC leader said a compromise formula would be worked out once the AICC observer arrives in a day or two.

UNI RRK-PRS KK AD PM1554