MPCC for action against dissident MLA

SHILLONG, February 14: The Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) recommended to the State party chief and former Chief Minister SC Marak to take "appropriate" action against dissident MLA Kapin Ch. Boro for attempting to split the Congress. The PAC in an emergency meeting at the residence of PR Kyndiah, noted with concern the claims made by Boro that he along with four other Congress MLAs would split the party for launching a new political party to be named 'Meghalaya Congress'. Party spokesman RG Lyngdoh said, "It was up to the party chief SC Marak to take suitable action against Boro." While dismissing Boro's claims of a split in the party, the former Chief Minister was unwilling to spell out what action he was contemplating against the errant MLA. Local newspapers prominently displayed Boro's statement claiming a "political quake" in Meghalaya shortly. He told reporters that he was splitting the party so as to "bring better governance to the State by throwing out the present government headed by EK Mawlong." The Congress which suffered a split earlier with the formation of the Nationalist Congress Party, has now strength of 15 in the 60-member Assembly. The ruling coalition of 40 MLAs comprises 21 from the United Democratic Party, 13 from the NCP and three each from the BJP and People's Democratic Movement.