Shillong, May 9: Cross with its allies in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance for ganging up against partyman P.R. Kyndiah in Shillong, the Congress has begun scouting for new partners. Though chief minister D.D. Lapang is determinedly mum on the subject, the marriage between the Congress and the regional bloc comprising the United Democratic Party (UDP), the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) is on the rocks.
A source said the Congress was likely to annul its alliance with the three regional parties after the announcement of the Lok Sabha results.
One of the prime contenders for a fresh tie-up is the new-look Nationalist Congress Party, led by Monindro Rava.
The relationship between the Congress and its allies in the ruling coalition reached boiling point after the regional parties decided to field a consensus candidate in Shillong constituency, from where Kyndiah is seeking a second term.
The source said the doggedness of these three parties annoyed the chief minister and he has since been looking for alternatives.
Congress functionaries, however, cited another reason for the crisis. One of these is the resignation of UDP legislator Heltone Marak from the ministry and his allegations against the Congress candidate for the Tura seat, Mukul M. Sangma.
Though Lapang remains circumspect, the Congress’ position in the 60-member Assembly — it is the single-largest party with 28 legislators — gives it the leverage to manipulate the situation should the need arise. Crunch time will be when the chief minister downsizes his ministry from 41 to 12. He said recently that he would do so by July 7.
The chief minister, however, did not cite any reason for not discussing the proposed structure of the government with his allies. With less than two months left for the expiry of the deadline — an Assembly session is to be held during this period — Lapang will be hard-pressed for time to work out a downsizing plan acceptable to all his coalition partners.
The Congress could finally cobble up a new coalition with the NCP and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement. The NCP has eight legislators and the other party has two. The UDP has nine MLAs, the MDP four and the HSPDP two. Two members of the BJP and five Independents make up the rest of the House. Four of the Independent legislators support the ruling alliance.
Sources said the chief minister was waiting for any of his regional allies to make one more wrong move so that he could use it as an excuse to change partners.