Regional parties likely to form alternative govt

Shillong, Mar 7: The regional allies of the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government is likely to forge an alliance with the opposition parties to form an alternative government in the state.

Following Congress president Sonia Gandhi directive to Chief Minister J D Rymbai asking him to quit the office of Chief Ministership, the regional parties have decided to form an alternative alliance.

The regional parties, the United Democratic Party(8), Meghalaya Democratic Party(4), Hill State People's Democratic Party(2) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement(2), have voiced their concern on Ms Gandhi's direction.

Last night, Congress President Sonia Gandhi had asked Mr Rymbai to quit the office of Chief Ministership without citing any reasons.

The regional parties, which have 16 MLAs in the 60-member House, have expressed their discontent over the Congress party's decision of frequently changing leadership in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, KHNAM President and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, who are camping at the national capital, have summoned all their party leaders to attend tomorrow's crucial meeting to decide on whether to continue support to the Congress-led government.

''We will meet tomorrow in Shillong to decide our course of action,'' Dr Roy said, refusing to divulge the UDP strategies.

''All options are open now. We will decide tomorrow whether to form an alternative government or continue to support the Congress-led government,'' Mr Lyngdoh told UNI here over phone from New Delhi today.

The opposition parties, including Nationalist Congress Party and Bharatiya Janata Party, have expressed their readiness to form an alternative government in the wake of political instability in this hill state.

The NCP has eight MLAs while BJP has two.

UNI