SHILLONG: Dr Mukul Sangma was formally elected as the new CLP leader on Monday, clearing another hurdle for him to be the next Chief Minister, hours after DD Lapang making way for his successor by submitting his resignation to the Governor.
Following his election as the leader of the 28-member Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on Monday night, Dr Sangma posed for photographs shaking hands with Lapang in presence of the two AICC observers -- Oscar Fernandes and Meghalaya unit in-charge Luizinho Faleiro - in Lapang's residence.
Two hours earlier, Lapang who had already submitted his papers to Congress Supremo Sonia Gandhi as CLP leader after several visits to New Delhi to solve the crisis, handed over his resignation to the Governor RS Mooshahary at the Raj Bhavan, making official his exit from the scene.
It marks the end of the intense dissident activities of the past few months by the Congress MLAs campaigning for ouster of Lapang who became Chief Minister on 13th May, 2009.
The CLP meeting held at the outgoing Chief Minister's residence was delayed because of late arrival of MLAs from New Delhi owing to traffic jam on NH 40 following heavy rain.
The crucial CLP meeting, that took place after the month-long infighting among the Congress MLAs for Cabinet berth and leadership, was a cool affair. The members clapped after DD Lapang proposed Mukul Sangma's as the new CLP leader.
"The election was unanimous," Lapang told reporters.
Meanwhile the two AICC observers hold separate discussion with the Chief Minister designate Dr Mukul Sangma.
Dr Sangma would be sworn in as new the Chief Minister Tuesday afternoon.
Sangma, after his election as the CLP leader, said there has only been a change in the CLP leadership and that the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) would continue.
In fact after the formal election of Dr Sangma, members of some of the coalition partners joined the meeting to put a seal of support.
''We are not concerned with the CLP's internal problem, but the UDP will support the government till the end of its tenure,'' former Chief Minister and UDP president Dr Donkupar Roy said.
In reply to question about making changes in the Cabinet, Dr Sangma gave a guarded answer saying he would have to discuss with the high command. But it is for sure that he would have tough time in keeping all those who had been supporting him in good humour as there is not much space to manoeuvre in the 12-member Cabinet.
After the CLP meeting, both Lapang and Dr Sangma and AICC observer Oscar Fernandes appeared to be in pensive mood and tried to defend the party and even frequent changes in the leadership.
Lapang termed it a "little bit differences within the family" and "blessed" his junior Sangma to take over the responsibility.
"We have assured to all our voters and people of Meghalaya that Congress is united and will deliver," Lapang said.
Dr Sangma, while admitting that frequent changes does have its impact, defended the "democratic" system of the Congress and asserted "complete coherence" within the party machinery.
"A consensus has been reached after a stalemate because of coherence and coordination," the Chief Minister designate said.
Oscar Fernandes replying to questions after the smooth takeover said, "We have to decide in view of majority. This change will give stability," he said.
When a reporter asked him had he not talked of "coherence" and used the same language before too, Fernandes said, "A lot needs to be done for discipline in the party."
