Lapang frontrunner for Meghalaya CM post: Kyndiah

Shillong, Feb 24: Union Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndiah today backed Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang, as the frontrunner to retain the post if the Congress returned to power after the March 3 assembly elections.

''If everything goes well, Chief Minister DD Lapang has the chance of becoming the next leader, ''Mr Kyndiah said. ''He is capable of running the state in the next five years,'' the Union minister told reporters here. Mr Kyndiah"'s statement assumed significance in the backdrop of Deputy Chief Minister and Congress candidate Mukul M.Sangma, also a contender for the coveted post. Former chief Minister SC Marak, contesting from Resubelpara assembly constituency, was another strong contender for the hot seat. Mr Kyndiah, the local MP representing Shillong parliamentary constituency, was here to campaign for Congress, which faces strong opposition from the Nationalist Congress Party for the March 3 polls.

UNI