MDA allies to support Congress

Shillong, June 15 (UNI) Amidst the political uncertainly in Meghalaya, the regional parties today resolved to continue to support the Congress government even if it elected their new leader.

The Congress has 29 MLAs in Meghalaya and is supported by 16 MLAs from four regional political parties -- United Democratic Party (8), Meghalaya Democratic Party (4), Hills State People's Democratic Party(2) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (2) -- in a house of 60.

Late last night, leaders of these parties- United Democratic Party president and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, Hill State People's Democratic Party Hopingstone Lyngdoh and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement president Paul Lyngdoh, along with others, discussed the present political turmoil in the state following 'inner squabbles' in the Congress.

The Meghalaya Democratic Party, which has four MLAs, also met separately late last night and decided to continue to support the Congress irrespective of who led the new government.

Talking to reporters here, Dr Roy said the regional parties decided to stick to the agreement signed in 2003, while forming the MDA coalition, with Congress as the major ally.

''Our agreement was signed with the Congress and not with any particular leader'', he said, while terming the political crisis over the ''change of leadership'' in the state is an internal matter of the Congress.

However, the UDP leader expressed resentment on the recent meeting between AICC leaders, Chief Minister DD Lapang and NCP leader Purno A Sangma without consulting the MDA partners.

''The Congress should have consulted the MDA before seeking support from the NCP,'' Dr Roy said.

On June 13, Congress Working Committee member Oscar Fernandes, AICC Secretary in-charge Meghalaya Maj Ved Prakash, Chief Minister Lapang, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Onwardly Nongtdu met the former Lok Sabha Speaker to seek the NCP's support to the Congress led govrnment in the state.

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