Lapang says he will support his new leader "wholeheartedly"

Shillong, June 8 (UNI) Breaking nearly four-day silence after he faced dissidence from his party MLAs, Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang (Cong) today said he will step down if he was unable to prove majority before AICC observer.

AICC member Oscar Fernandes, in-charge of Meghalaya affairs, is scheduled to arrive here on June 12, when the crucial CLP meeting is will also be held.

Talking to reporters here at his office this afternoon, Mr Lapang said, ''I will step down gracefully the day I lose the majority'',.

At the same time he said if a new leader is elected, the latter would get his unstinted support.

Mr Lapang informed that he had already informed AICC president Sonia Gandhi of the political turmoil in the state.

Mr Fernandes, also a Union Minister, is expected to arrive here on June 12 to assess the political crisis.

Terming the development in the Congress an ''internal matter'', the beleagured Chief Minister said, ''I assure you that the new leader of the CLP will be my trusted aide, whom I will support wholeheartedly. '' At least 20 Congress Legislators had on June 6 informed Ms Gandhi that they do not respose faith in the leadership of Mr Lapang.

They proposed Meghalaya Parliamentary Affairs Minister and veteran Congress leader J D Rymbai to replace him.

Mr Lapang ensured that the Congress in the state would not split.

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