I am ready to replace Rymbai: Dr Sangma

Shillong, Jan 10 (UNI) Meghalaya's former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Mukul Manda Sangma today said he is the "natural contender" for the post of chief ministership, if there is a contest between Chief Minister J D Rymbai and his predecessor D D Lapang in the state.

Two days back, AICC chief Sonia Gandhi directed Mr Rymbai to convene a meeting of party legislators meeting on January 17 to elect a new leader.

The crucial CLP meet would decide the fate of Mr Rymbai, his predecessor Mr Lapang and former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma.

Senior AICC leaders Oscar Fernandez and Major(retd) Ved Prakash are likely to be present in the meeting to iron out the pending leadership issue.

''In case there was a change of leadership in the state, I will stake my claim to it,'' Dr Sangma told UNI here over from New Delhi.

The political bickering has been lingering between the two warring factions of the Congress ever since Mr Rymbai assumed power replacing Mr Lapang in last June.

Dr Sangma said he had also informed Ms Gandhi on his claim for chief ministership.''Now since the MLAs want a change of leadership, Mr Rymbai should be replaced by a natural contender,'' the former Deputy chief minister said.

When asked whether he has the number to assume the top-post, Dr.

Sangma said he has left the matter with the MLAs and added "let the MLAs decides who should be their leader." This time, the CLP decision would be the final one and there should be no more repetition of frequent change of leadership, senior AICC leader said, adding that the legislators would have to concentrate on the state elections.

Meghalaya will go to general polls next year. The Congress, which has 29 MLAs in the 60-member House, heads the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

Mr Rymbai enjoys the support of 14 Congress MLAs while his bete-noire Mr Lapang have the support of 12 Congress legislators including Deputy Speaker Phingwell Muktieh.

However, the Congress regional partners, with 16 MLAs in the government, backed Mr Rymbai and urged the Congress to stop this political wrangling for sake of the state's development.

UNI