Dissident Congress MLAs meet Oscar before the crucial CLP meet

Shillong, Jun 12 (UNI) AICC general secretary in-charge of Meghalaya Oscar Fernandez today made it clear that the change of leadership issue in the crisis-hit Congres-led Meghalaya Alliance Alliance (MDA) depends on ''majority decision'' during tonight's CLP meeting.

Mr Fernandez, who rushed from New Delhi this afternoon, will attend the crucial meeting having the sole agenda to discuss the issue that emerged on June 5 after about 20 Congress MLAs of total 29 in the 60-member assembly sought Chief Minister D D Lapang's stepping down and proposed the name of state Parliamentary Minister J D Rymbai to replace the present incumbent.

Prior to the CLP meeting, scheduled to begin tonight, Mr Fernandez, had meeting with former Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Salseng C Marak and some senior leaders to assess the situation.

At least 17 dissident leaders also called on him before the start of the CLP in which the AICC observer had assured them of upholding the majority decision only.

Besides, MPCC president O L Nongtdu briefed Mr Fernandez on the latest political development in the state.

Two days ago the Congress high command had rushed AICC secretary Maj Ved Prakash here to tackle the situation.

On June six, the dissident MLAs informed Ms Sonia Gandhi that they did not repose faith in the leadership of Chief Minister D D Lapang.

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