Cong MLA accuses Meghalaya CLP Secretary of vested interest

Shillong, Jul 14 (UNI) Peeved for not making it into the Rymbai-led ministry, former Sikkim Minister in-charge of Border Area Development K.K.Dkhar today accused Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Secretary Charles Pyngrope of 'vested interest.' Senior Congress Legislator Mr Dkhar allegedly said CLP secretary Prestone Tynsong, who is now a cabinet minister in the ruling Congress-led government, was behind his non-inclusion.

The former Minister even showed a letter dated June 2, 2006, addressed to former Chief Minister DD Lapang jointly signed by him, Mr Pyngrope and Mr Tynsong, proposing Mr Dkhar to replace the then Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh.

''I was never interested for a ministerial berth but they officially proposed my name,'' an annoyed legislator said while accusing Mr Pyngrope's 'vested interest.' Mr Dkhar, who was elected twice from Nongshken constituency bordering Bangladesh, also said he was surprised that his name was erased from the list. The list was then sent for Sonia Gandhi's approval.

Chief Minister JD Rymbai rushed to New Delhi on June 16 to meet Sonia Gandhi to finalise the list of ministers.

Mr Rymbai was accompanied by Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee President Onwardly Nongtdu and CLP Secretary Charles Pryngrope.

''They should clarify why they have excluded me from being in the ministry,'' Mr Dkhar said.

The Nongshken Block Congress Committee (NBCC) has recently questioned Chief Minister JD Rymbai on Mr Dkhar non-inclusion in the ministry.

The Block Congress even demanded Mr Rymbai to include him in the ministry.

However, Chief Minister JD Rymbai, who took over the mantle from Mr Lapang last month, said the composition of his ministry was approved in consultation with the Congress High Command.

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