Shillong, March 6: The D.D. Lapang-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance is perilously close to being the most short-lived government in recent times in Meghalaya, a record previously held by Congress chief minister Salseng C. Marak who headed a ministry for 12 days.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has threatened to pull out of the alliance, as its nine MLAs are extremely unhappy with Lapang’s distribution of portfolios.
The UDP, which is second largest party in the coalition after the Congress (which has 22 legislators), was expecting that its legislature party leader Donkupar Roy would be made deputy chief minister. However, Roy was given the power portfolio, besides science and technology, non-conventional energy and elections. Except for health, which went to B.G. Momin, UDP legislator from the Garo Hills, others were sidelined.
The UDP and even some disgruntled Congress legislators are now looking to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Several UDP legislators reportedly had a series of meetings with the NCP leaders. After the portfolio allocation last evening, the UDP legislators and party leaders reportedly met over dinner and openly expressed resentment at the “treatment meted out to senior UDP leaders” by Lapang.
Senior legislators like Kyrmen Susngi was given horticulture and evaluation while Sing Mulieh had to be satisfied with forest and environment. Donkupar Roy did not want to comment on the issue but admitted that he “had reservations” about the way portfolios were distributed.
The MLAs are also peeved that Lapang chose to keep the high-profile departments like finance, planning, revenue and industries for himself.
Eyebrows were also raided at the manner in which Lapang has kept out a few of Salseng Marak’s loyalists. Tony Curtis Lyngdoh is an example.
To make matters worse for Lapang, the UDP and the Meghalaya Democratic Party have agreed to merge and are ready to join a coalition with the NCP. On the offer of chief ministership to Roy by NCP leader Purno Sangma, a UDP legislator said, “Perhaps a good offer should not be refused, but it must be genuine.”