With beleaguered Meghalaya Chief Minister D. D. Lapang camping in New Delhi at the summons of the AICC to end a leadership row, his deputy Mukul Sangma also reached New Delhi on Saturday claiming support of the dissident MLAs.
“I am ready to take over as the Congress Legislature Party leader if the majority wants,” Mr. Sangma said before leaving for New Delhi.
The development came after 20 of the total 28 Congress MLAs, including some detractors of the Chief Minister, met at Mr. Sangma’s residence late Friday night and pledged “unconditional support” to him, party sources said.
Mr. Sangma’s supporters are also likely to fly to the national capital soon, sources said.
They, however, indicated that the final decision will be taken by the Congress high command.
The dissident MLAs have been pressing the Congress high command for a change in leadership for nearly one month and demanding berths in the ministry after dropping Independents.
Only six of the 28 Congress MLAs are in Lapang’s ministry.
The current ruling Congress alliance, sworn in last year after the fall of the NCP-led government, enjoys the support of 44 legislators — 28 from Congress, 9 from UDP, two from Hill State Peoples Democratic Party, one from Khyun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and four Independents in a house of 60.
Meanwhile, the United Democratic Party said it would continue to support the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government notwithstanding the dissidence in the Congress.
“The UDP had agreed to support the Congress till the end of the term. We will abide by the agreement,” UDP president Donkupar Roy, who was re-elected at a general council meeting of the party, said.
Asked if the party had any reservation if the Congress Legislature Party decided a change in leadership, Mr. Roy said, “Our agreement is with the Congress party and not with any individual leader. They (Congress) have some internal problem, it is not our concern. We will continue to support the government.”
The UDP, which has nine MLAs, is a key ally of the Congress government in the State.
