Meghalaya CM says he enjoys majority, leaves for New Delhi

Shillong, Aug 24 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister JD Rymbai today said he still enjoyed the majority in the House of 59.

''I am enjoying the majority in the House. I can prove this in the floor of the House when required,'' Mr Rymbai told UNI here, before leaving for New Delhi.

The Congress has 29 MLAs in the assembly and is supported by United Democratic Party (8), Meghalaya Democratic Party (4), Hills State People's Democratic Party (2) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (2).

Mr Rymbai's latest remark assumes significance ahead of today's meeting between him, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and leader of dissident Congress MLAs DD Lapang.

The Congress president yesterday had summoned both the warring leaders to report to her in New Delhi.

Political observers here suggested that she wanted to resolve the political stalemate, that has been raging for one month arising over the demand for a change of leadership in Meghalaya.

At least, 15 dissident Congress legislators proposed Mr Lapang's reinstatement, describing his successor J D Rymbai as ''inefficient'' to lead the government ahead of 2008 Assembly election.

Mr Rymbai took over the helm of affairs from Mr Lapang in mid-June this year after 17 dissident Congress legislators favoured him to lead the state while accusing Mr Lapang of indulging in ''manipulative politics''.

But immediately after Mr Rymbai assumed office, fresh dissidence surfaced again in the Congress party after Congress legislator KK Dkhar was not inducted in the ministry.

Mr Rymbai, who is facing open-revolt from legislators, proposed him to lead the state claimed that leaders of the four regional parties who are partner of the Congress led government informed him that they still reposed faith in his leadership.

''They (Congress partners) are not happy with the frequent change of guard, as it would affect the state administration,'' he asserted, adding that it will sent a wrong signal to the people.

Earlier, leaders of the four regional parties - - United Democratic Party, Meghalaya Democratic Party, Hills State People's Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, which are part of the Congress led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government had cautioned the AICC not to take unilateral decision with regard to the change of guard in the state.

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