Cong cell lends ear to griping MLAs

Meghalaya legislators clamour for berths

Meghalaya chief minister D.D. Lapang with Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia during a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI) Shillong, Aug. 28 : The Meghalaya unit of the Congress has activated its political affairs committee to address the grievances of party legislators, amid their clamour for induction of more Congress members into the ministry. The committee, chaired by PCC president Friday Lyngdoh, comprises chief minister D.D. Lapang, deputy chief minister Mukul Sangma, former chief minister S.C. Marak and PCC working president Deborah Marak among others. The names of former Lok Sabha MP from Shillong P.R. Kyndiah and PHE minister Prestone Tynsong were added to the list of committee members yesterday. Deborah said the committee would be a co-ordinating body to bridge the gap between the party and the government. “We are also committed to address the grievances of Congress legislators,” she added. A source in the Congress said after the party recently won the Laitumkhrah bypoll, raising its tally to 27 in the 60-member House, a section of its legislators suggested that more senior party legislators should be accommodated in the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) ministry. A Congress legislator pointed out that despite having 27 legislators, the party has only six cabinet berths, including the chief minister. In the 12-member ministry, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has got two cabinet berths, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) one and Independents three. While some legislators suggested that the two UDP legislators be dropped, others said two of the three Independents could be dropped to accommodate two Congress legislators. The MUA coalition comprises the Congress with 27 MLAs, the UDP with nine MLAs, the Hill State Peoples’ Democratic Party (HSPDP) with two MLAS, KHNAM with one MLA and five Independents. The lone BJP legislator in the House has also extended support to the MUA. Deborah ruled out the possibility of betraying coalition partners, especially the UDP, which had extended support to the Congress during the formation of the MUA government. Of the three Independents, IT minister A.T. Mondal was loyal to the Congress till the formation of the government. If at all there is a reshuffle, it would involve the other two Independents, Ismail Marak and Limison Sangma, who are also ministers in the MUA. The Congress source said if there is a change, it could take place next week after Lapang returns from Delhi after consulting AICC leaders.