Apang hopeful of resolving crisis

Itanagar, Apr 7 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang is optimistic about a solution to the leadership crisis and hoped that differences among his council members would be resolved soon.

Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of new Governor K Sankaranarayanan, Mr Apang claimed that his position was 'comfortable' and 'safe', even as stalemate over the leadership issue continued.

Asked about Congress High Command's decision yesterday to summon him to Delhi along with Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Omem Moyong Deori, Mr Apang, while denying such matter, said he was called by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to discuss the proposed visit of the Prime Minister to the state, which was later postponed.

''I met Oscar Fernandes and Ahmed Patel and discussed with them the imbroglio but there was no such meeting with the Congress chief as she was busy with Uttar Pradesh elections,'' Apang said adding, he asked both senior leaders to persuade the rebel members to return to Itanagar and resolve the differences through talks.

''It is an internal matter of the party and should be resolved through negotiation and not by camping in other states, thereby keeping the people in the dark,'' he said adding, he was unaware of the reasons for such a move by his own family (Congress) members, that too without the knowledge of the APCC president.

Stating that the Congress high command should give their decision only after hearing both sides, the chief minister alleged that all the rebel leaders were camping in hotels in Harayana spending a large chunk of money from the state's exchequer, which could be utilized for developmental works.

Asked whether he would abide by the decision of the party high command to a change of leadership, Mr Apang said it would be decided later.

To a question on whether the BJP was the mastermind behind the showdown, Apang did not rule out any such possibility.

The chief minister who, was supposed to convene a press conference this evening, called it off.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and advisor to the chief minister Takam Sanjoy today resigned from his post.

UNI