Lapang ready to step down if CLP desires, Kyndiah calls on Sonia

Shillong, Jun 12 (UNI) With hectic one-on-one meeting between dissident Congress MLAs and Congress Working Committee member Oscar Fernadez underway on prior to tonight's crucial CLP meting to decide on the fate of Chief Minister D D Lapang, the general mood from both camps hinted at favouring triumph of the majority decision.

Mr Fernandez, after his arrival from New Delhi this afternoon sought to bring home the point that the change of leadership issue in the crisis-hit Congres-led MDA ''depends on a majority decision at the CLP meeting''.

Mr Lapang arrived at Hotel Pine Wood this evening, the venue of the CLP meeting, before 1900 hrs and was accompanied by Ms Debora Marak, Mr J D Rymbai, Me Setlang Pale, Mr Friday Lyngdoh, Mr H D R Lyngdoh, Mr Brening A Sangma, Mr Sayeedullah Nongrum and Mr Zenith Sangma (all Ministers).

The AICC emissarty, was still engaged in a one-on-one with the dissident MLAs.

Talking to UNI, the Chief Minister said he would abide by the majority decision of the CLP adding he was ready to step down if necessary.

Spokesperson of the disident group and former Home Minister R G Lyngdoh while sticking to their demand of leadership also echoed the same feeling saying a majority decision would finally triumph.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Development of North Eastern Region P R Kyndiah earlier today met AICC president Sonia Gandhi and discussed with her the political crisis in Meghalaya.

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

Immediately after his arrival, Mr Fernandez met with former Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Salseng C Marak and some senior leaders to assess the situation.

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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