Rymbai says leadership issue is a closed chapter

Shillong, Jan 27 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister J D Rymbai today made it clear that the ''leadership issue'' in the state is a closed chapter.

Mr Rymbai's statement assumed significance in the backdrop of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief Onward L Nongtdu maintaining that the issue is still alive.

''As the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, the issue is a closed chapter. I don't know if the issue is still alive with the state Congress party,'' Mr Rymbai told reporters at Shillong Golf Club here.

Last week, AICC leader Mr Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi had given a clean chit to Mr Rymbai and instructed him to continue to lead the Congress-led government till next Assembly elections.

Meghalaya goes to polls early next year.

On MPCC members demanding Mr Nongtdu's removal as state Congress chief, Mr Rymbai said he has nothing to say, as he is not an executive member in the MPCC.

''It's up to the MPCC members to decide on this matter,'' the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, state Minister in-charge Public Health Engineering Prestone Tynsong, MPCC Vice President Oris Lyngdoh and other senior Congress leaders blamed Mr Nongtdu for destroying the party's unity in the state.

The Congress leaders have also asked Mr Nongtdu to step down gracefully from the post of MPCC president before he is removed.

UNI