Regional parties caution Congress on political instability

Shillong, July 27 (UNI) Regional parties, which are part of the Congress-led ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, today cautioned the Congress not to take unilateral decision with regard to the change of leadership in the ministry.

At least, 17 dissident Congress MLAs demanded reinstatement of former chief minister DD Lapang as the Congress Legislature Party leader.

Last month, Mr Lapang stepped down as the leader of the CLP and chose his trusted-aide Mr JD Rymbai as his successor.

The schism in the Congress party surfaced again after Chief Minister J Dringwel Rymbai refused to induct senior leader and AICC member KK Dkhar in the ministry.

''The partners in the MDA can not be deemed to back up any decision taken unilaterally by the Congress and its power centre in Delhi,'' deputy chief minister and United Democratic Party president Dr Donkupar Roy said here today.

The presidents of the smaller parties, which assessed the political development, were of the view that if any question marks on the leadership issue arose, the answers must emanate from the MDA and thereafter on the floor of the state Assembly.

Expressing their concern, the regional parties leaders registered their strong sense of ''disgust'', ''displeasure'' and ''bewilderment'' at the continuous attempts to destabilise the government by the Congress members.

The MDA government is comprised of Congress (29 MLAs), United Democratic Party (8 MLAs), Meghalaya Democratic Party (4 MLAs), besides, two each from Hills State People's Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader Purno Agitok Sangma also yesterday expressed his concern over the current political instability in the state.

Mr Sangma urged the Congress party to mend its inner squabbles and stop the politics of ''one upmanship'' at once in the interest of the state.

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