Fernandez seeks Purno's support; Purno for "United Congress"

Shillong, Jun 13 (UNI) In a new twist to the political development in Meghalaya, Congress Working Committee member and Union Minister Oscar Fernandez today called on National Congress Party leader Purno Agitok Sangma seeking his support to the dissidence-stricken Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

Chief Minister D D Lapang, whose fate now depends on AICC president Sonia Gandhi's decision, Meghalaya Pradseh Congress Committee president Onwardly Nongtdu and AICC secretary in-charge Meghalaya Maj (Retd) Ved Prakash also accompanied Mr Fernandez in a last bid effort to ''ensure political stability'' in the present coaltion.

''Mr Fernandez came to see me at 0830 hrs seeking NCP support'', Mr Sangma told UNI here today adding his outside support to the government to prevent ''disolution of the House'' only.

In a significant statement, that might change the political scene in the state, Mr Sangma said he even did not mind forming a ''United Congress'' in Meghalaya.

''If the Congress split, we will review the scene and decide accordingly'', he said.

The veteran Garo political stalwart said he had responded ''positively'' to the visiting Congress leaders with a condition that the Congres party in Meghalaya ''should stand united''.

Asked why his rival Congress should be united in the state, Mr Sangma without specifying more only said, ''unity of the congress at present is important for stability of the government. It is not desirable to create a situation that results in dissolution of the house''.

''I have told Mr Fernandez to resolve the leadership crisis at the earliest in the interest of the state and avoid dissolution of the House'', the former Lok Sabha Speaker said.

Mr Sangma, also former Meghalaya Chief Minister, said he had made it clear to the Congress leaders that his party would extend support to the ''United Congress'' and would try to ensure that personal aspiration could not outdo state's interest.

Late last night, Mr Fernandez said the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Meghalaya would be decided by the Congress high command.

Mr Fernandez was rushed to the capital state after 20 rebel Congress MLAs had asked Ms Gandhi on June 6 to replace Chief Minister DD Lapang with Meghalaya Minister for Parliamentary Affairs JD Rymbai.

Talking to reporters soon after the crucial CLP meeting at Hotel Pine Wood here, Mr Fernandez said all the 27 Congress legislators out of total 29 in the 60-member house unanimously decided to leave the change of leadership to the ''wisdom'' of Ms Gandhi.

Mr Fernandez said Ms Gandhi would decide the new leader of the CLP before the extended Meghalaya's Budget session scheduled to be held on June 16.

UNI RRK-PRS PC RN1500