The Hindu : National : Rymbai to consult loyalists

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Friday, Mar 09, 2007
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Rymbai to consult loyalists

Sushanta Talukdar

Several NGOs oppose the Congress high command's directive

Guwahati: The fate of the Congress-led coalition government still hangs in balance as Meghalaya Chief Minister J.D. Rymbai on Thursday said that he would hold consultations with Congress legislators who had supported him and the leaders of the coalition partners of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government headed by him about the directive issued by the Congress high command to step aside and pave way for his predecessor D.D. Lapang.

Speaking to The Hindu at the Meghalaya House shortly before leaving for Shillong on Thursday night, Mr. Rymbai, however, declined to say if he would still abide by Congress president Sonia Gandhi's directive to quit in the event of his loyalists in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and coalition partners advising him against quitting.

Mr. Rymbai kept Mehgalaya's political circles guessing about his next move as he had not left for Shillong till 7.50 p.m. even though he had arrived here around 1.45 p.m. from New Delhi.

Mr. Rymbai had on Tuesday announced that he would put in his papers after returning to Shillong.Mr. Rymbai, who was resisting from accepting the decision that was conveyed to him earlier by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and AICC secretary Maj. (retd.) Ved Prakash, changed his mind after a meeting with the Congress high command.

One of the Rymbai loyalists said over phone from Shillong that the Congress high command had directed the Chief Minister to quit before the ensuing budget session of the Meghalaya Assembly, which has been summoned on Monday. Mr. Rymbai's loyalists had earlier asked the AICC to follow the same procedure when Dr. Lapang was replaced by Mr. Rymbai.

The Garo Students' Union (GSU) has threatened to launch an agitation if Mr. Rymbai is removed as Chief Minister. Besides the GSU, several NGOs of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills also opposed the Congress president's directive to Mr. Rymbai.

In the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, the Congress has 29 while the coalition partners - the United Democratic Party (UDP) has nine and the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) and KHNAM (Khun Hyniewtrep National Awkening Movement) two each. Congress sources said Rymbai-faction has the support of 14 party legislators and the rival D.D. Lapang faction enjoys the support of 15 legislators. Sources said leaders of the coalition partners went into a huddle at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister and UDP president Don Kuper Roy to discuss the situation and decide on a course of action.

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