Meghalaya Congress hampering development: AICC

Shillong, April 25: Frequent rumblings in the Congress in Meghalaya can hamper development in the state, AICC in charge of Meghalaya Dhaniram Shandil has observed and stressed that ''development politics'' instead should take the centre-stage.

"The party line is clear. Focus should be on development. The party is responsible to the people and not one person or a few," Shandil, who arrived here last evening on a four-day visit with another AICC member Sanjay Bapna, told PTI.

The AICC members' arrival in the state at a time when there are reports of dissidence in the party has sparked speculation about the fate of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

However, the AICC leaders are of the opinion that ''such trivial matters can be sorted out within the party''. Shandil admitted that there are some ''differences in opinion'' within the party ranks.

"Having political ambition is no crime. We have to address the aspirations of the party men also. Everyone cannot have 100 per cent satisfaction. But these matters can be resolved within the family," Shandil said when asked about the reported revolt against Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

Sangma, whose government has just completed one year in office, is battling dissidence from some disgruntled MLAs and cabinet ministers who are unhappy over his ''autocratic'' way of functioning. The disgruntled MLAs have moved the AICC seeking a change in leadership.

But Shandil said, "Change is not the solution. AICC has to ensure that the house stay together.''

Emphasizing that a vibrant and stable democratic government was needed for speedy development, Bapna said, "Every Central department has to allocate 10 per cent of its funds to the Northeast states.''

''The states which have vibrant and stable government and a dynamic leadership can avail maximum benefit of this allocation. Else they might lose out to others."

Shandil described Mukul Sangma as a dynamic chief minister who is "trying to move forward intelligently."

The two leaders would meet senior state party leaders tonight before visiting different districts.

Sangma took over the reins after four-time chief minister Lapang, who could not complete a full five-year term even once, was forced to quit after a revolt in his party last year.

Sangma's government is the 22nd government the state saw in its 38-year statehood which is marked by frequent political turbulence.

PTI