The rank and status of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president, Friday Lyngdoh, has been elevated to that of a chief minister.
An official notification issued on January 28 said, “The rank and status of Mr. Lyngdoh has been upgraded from the rank of deputy chief minister to that of chief minister. He shall continue to function as a political advisor to the Chief Minister.”
The elevation of Mr. Lyngdoh’s status is seen as a move to pacify simmering resentment in the Congress camp, particularly of some senior members who have been denied a ministerial berth.
The MPCC president, reportedly heading the rebel camp which comprises at least eight disgruntled MLAs, had even moved the AICC recently seeking resolution of their grievances.
The 12-member council of ministers in Meghalaya are assisted by 13 Parliamentary Secretaries picked from the 60-odd legislators.
In 2004, the Union Government had amended the Constitution restricting the size of the governments to 15 per cent of the number of legislators.
