His detractor Mukul M Sangma is currently camping in the capital along with 21 of his supporters. A delegation of Congress leaders from Meghalaya met party president Sonia Gandhi at her Parliament House office demanding change of leadership.
Interestingly, Minister of State Vincent H Pala, considered a Lapang loyalist, was also seen accompanying the delegation.
Sources in the AICC hinted that an early change of leadership in Meghalaya might be in the cards. However, they added that with the Parliament Session on, they would like to tread very cautiously.
Sources said they were still gauging whether Sangma would be able to provide a stable government, given the political uncertainty witnessed in the State. They are also weighing the options whether another spell of President Rule should be imposed in the State.
Lapang, who is also camping in the capital, was twice sworn in as the Chief Minister since March, 2008. He is also waiting for an appointment with the Congress president to brief her on the latest developments.
Lapang’s fate appeared sealed when 21 of the 28 Congress MLAs ‘elected’ him leader at a closed-door meeting on Friday night.
Though so far the rebels have been projecting Speaker Charles Pyngrope as Lapang’s successor, in a fresh twist they opted for Sangma, who is the DeputyChief Minister of the State.
Representatives of the rebel group also met Governor RS Mooshahary and briefed him about the latest development. The Centre is waiting for a report from the Governor on the latest political situation, AICC sources said.
Lapang was sworn in for the first time after the 2008 Assembly polls. It was his fourth stint, as Chief Minister. His term was short-lived and he survived only for just 10 days.
Thereafter, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) backed United Democratic Party (UDP)-led five-party coalition took office with UDP chief Donkupar Roy as the chief minister, but barely a year later, the coalition was dismissed and the state was brought under President’s Rule.
Lapang, however, managed to reclaim his job with the help of three independent ministers of the Roy ministry.
In the 60-member legislature, the Congress has 28 legislators and has the support of 10 UDP members, five independents and one KHNAM legislator. The main opposition NCP has 15 legislators.
