Lapang to go for floor test if he has numbers

Shillong, Mar 18 (UNI) '' If we get the numbers, we will go for a floor test in the House, otherwise I will tender my resignation, '' Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang here today said.

While speaking to news persons here after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, Mr Lapang said the meeting that was attended today by 22 out of 28 members ended inconclusively.

However, the matter will be taken up in another meeting tomorrow, he added.

''Both options are open as of now,'' he said and added that if they get the numbers(31), they will go to the floor of the House, or else Mr Lapang will resign.

Mr Lapang, however, also stated that he is ready to be in the Opposition and added, ''I have been in the Opposition earlier and we should learn to carry out our duties from that position.'' Meanwhile, MPA leader and the party's Chief Ministerial candidate Dr Donkupar Roy said, ''We are having the strength of 31 MLAs and the MPA is united, committed and firm to oust the Congress government tomorrow.'' The MPA comprises the NCP (14), UDP (11), Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (2), two Independents and one each from the BJP and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement.

Dr Roy, also the UDP president, reiterated the the party's commitment to ensure that the MPA government completed its five-year term.

The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party, was short of just six seats to cross the majority threshold in the 60-member House. The Congress government was then supported by the UDP, HSPDP, MDP and KHNAM, forming the Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA). Mr Lapang, however, roped in three Independent MLAs and increased its tally to 28 seats.

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