Congress legislators to elect new state leader today

Shillong, Jan 17 (UNI) Altogether 29 Congress MLAs in Meghalaya today will elect their new Legislature Party leader amidst strong public criticism over the frequent change of leadership in the state.

The crucial meeting scheduled to be held at 1900 hrs would decide the fate of Chief Minister J D Rymbai, his predecessor D D Lapang and former deputy chief minister Mukul M Sangma.

Senior AICC leader Major (retd) Ved Prakash, the party observer for the state, would be present in the meeting to settle the ''inner squabblings'' over the state leadership once for all.

Earlier, Ms Gandhi had sent her envoy Maj (retd) Prakash here to hammer out a compromise formula among the warring groups but his visit went in vain.

Meanwhile, leaders of the three warring factions were still busy wooing each other's MLAs to garner support of requisite number of legislators.

Mr Rymbai supporters claimed the support of 15 MLAs with state's Assembly Speaker Martin M Danggo and former deputy Chief Minister Deborah C Marak had announced their allegiance to the Rymbai camp.

''We have got the requisite number and we are well intact,'' minister in-charge Public Health Engineering Prestone Tynsong told UNI here.

Mr Tynsong informed that one of their loyalists, Nehlang Lyngdoh had joined the Lapang group.

While Mr Lapang's loyalists have claimed that minister in-charge Food and Civil Supplies Shitlang Pale and Parliamentary Secretary Nehlang Lyngdoh had joined their group.

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

Mr Lapang's loyalist demanded from the AICC Chief Sonia Gandhi to reinstate Mr Lapang as their CLP citing his ''capability'' to lead the party to general polls.

With Dr Sangma joining the fray as ''neutral contender'' for the post of chief ministership, Mr Lapang is set to face a set back to return to power, a political observer here said.

Dr Sangma had 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,'' Dr Sangma said.

UNI