Former Chief Minister DD Lapang, who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, said: “everyone in the Congress party must work like a united and disciplined family.”
However, the patch-up would not come without a price. “The group of Lapang” wants Sangma to re-instate the four Cabinet Ministers who were axed by the Chief Minister for revolting against him.
Of the four Cabinet Ministers who were shown the doors, two – Prestone Tyngsong and Augustine D Marak – held a meeting with Lapang at his residence this evening.
They formed a committee and passed a resolution titled “proceeding of the meeting of the Congress MLA’s who are in the group of Dr DD Lapang…”
The committee passed a resolution recognising Sangma’s leadership, however, demanded re-induction of the four axed Ministers. But, Frankenstein W Momin and Founder Strong Cajee, the other axed Ministers, did not turn up.
Asked what if Sangma does not accede to their demand, Lapang went back to his pet statement: “We will cross the bridge when it comes.”
Momin, meanwhile, refused to accept Lapang’s patch-up formula. “I am not going to accept a ministerial berth under (Mukul) Sangma. The leadership issue is alive,” Momin stated.
Piqued at Lapang for not taking everyone into confidence before heading to New Delhi with the olive branch, Momin said, Lapang has betrayed their cause.
“He (Lapang) is doing everything for self-interest. I don’t agree with him,” Momin said.
Lapang, on the other hand, claimed, he received an urgent call to attend the meeting with Sonia and so he did not get time to inform his colleagues.
Lapang parried questions when asked about Sangma’s leadership and said when the party high command said there would be “no change of leadership” than “what can be done?”
On one of the key demands of the rebels, holding of the legislature party meeting, Lapang said, it’s the prerogative of the Chief Minister and it may be held when “Sangma’s group consolidates their position.”
