Rymbai to call on Congress president

Shillong, Mar 4 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister J D Rymbai will call on Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other senior AICC leaders in a bid to end the prolonged political crisis in the state.

Mr Rymbai, who is scheduled to visit to the Planning Commission to fix the state's annual plan on March 6, would leave for the national capital tomorrow.

Home Minister Robert Garnet Lyngdoh and State Planning Board Chairman Salseng C Marak would accompany Mr Rymbai for talks with AICC leaders.

''The Chief Minister would seek an audience with the Congress president to discuss the recent political development in the state,'' Mr Rymbai's confidante Prestone Tynsong said here today.

Mr Rymbai's decision to meet the Congress supremo came after AICC leaders - Oscar Fernandes and Maj (Retd) Ved Prakash had asked him to quit the Chief Minister's office following the party high command's decision.

However, Mr Rymbai refused, citing that he would tender his resignation only if the Congress president directs him to do so.

Meanwhile, AICC secretary-in-charge Meghalaya Maj(Retd) Ved Prakash told UNI over the phone from New Delhi that Mr Rymbai would submit his resignation letter to Governor M M Jacob after consultation meetings with Mrs Gandhi and other AICC leaders.

''I hope good sense will prevail on Mr Rymbai and he will abide by the party's order,'' Maj Prakash said.

UNI