Sonia Gandhi's clean chit to Rymbai to carry on ministry

Shillong, Jul 28 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister J Dringwel Rymbai today said he would complete his term after the regional allies pledged their support even as AICC president Sonia Gandhi gave the go-ahead to carry on the Congress led ministry.

'' My government is stable and presently there is no threat to the government,'' a triumphant Mr Rymbai said in the wake of attempts by 15 Congress MLAs to dislodge him as their CLP leader.

Mr Rymbai declaration further, assumed significance especially after AICC president Sonia Gandhi 'aborted' the move of dissident Congress legislators to re-instate former Chief Minister DD Lapang as their new Congress Legislature Party leader.

''As of now there will be no change of leadership and I hope there is no problem,'' Mr Rymbai added.

Sources close to AICC president told UNI over the phone, Mrs Gandhi objected the idea to oust Mr Rymbai mainly because he had taken over the helms of affairs from Mr Lapang only last month.

''Madam (Mrs Gandhi) was not at all happy to destabilise the Rymbai led ministry in Meghalaya,'' the sources said.

''Mr Rymbai will continue with his job'', sources added.

However, Mr Boldness Nongum, one of the rebel Congress legislators denied about latest development and said ''things will be clear tomorrow''.

Last night, four regional parties, which are a part of the Congress-led ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, have cautioned its major partner not to take unilateral decision with regard to the change of leadership in the state.

The presidents of the four parties - - United Democratic Party, Meghalaya Democratic Party, Hills State People's Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement informed Mr Rymbai that they still reposed faith in his leadership.

They have also conveyed their decision to Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Onward L Nongtdu and Chairman of the MDA DD Lapang while expressing their strong opposition to the ''cheap political exercise'' by some Congress leaders.

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

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