Leadership issues in Meghalaya still alive: Lapang

Shillong, Feb 1 (UNI) Even after the AICC had instructed Chief Minister J D Rymbai to continue in office till next general elections in Meghalaya, former state Chief Minister D D Lapang claimed that the ''leadership issue was yet to be sorted out.'' ''The agenda is very much alive as the AICC is yet to name the newly elected Congress Legislature Party leader,'' Mr Lapang told reporters yesterday at Purduwa village in state's Ri-Bhoi district.

His statement assumed significance in the backdrop of his successor claiming that the ''leadership issue'' was a closed chapter following the AICC giving him a green signal to lead the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance till next Assembly elections.

Meghalaya goes to general polls early next year.

Last month, altogether 29 Congress MLAs elected a new CLP leader through a secret ballot under AICC Supremo Sonia Gandhi's directives to end the infighting in the legislature party over the post of chief ministership.

Mr Rymbai and his predecessor Mr Lapang contested the election.

The election was supervised by AICC Secretary in-charge Meghalaya Affairs Maj(Retd) Ved Prakash.

Soon after the election, Maj Prakash told mediapersons that the name of the CLP leader would be declared by Ms Gandhi. However, Ms Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel directed Mr Rymbai to continue as the CLP leader and to concentrate on next year's elections.

''How can he (Mr Rymbai) say that the issue is a closed chapter when the AICC is yet to count votes to elect the new CLP leader,'' Mr Lapang said, stressing that the AICC should sort out the matter.

Earlier, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Onward L Nongtdu said the ''leadership issue is still alive'', stating that the AICC is yet to count the votes of the 29 MLAs which will decide the fate of the two warring leaders.

UNI