Shillong, July 13: Meghalaya chief minister D.D. Lapang is in for some serious trouble with the United Democratic Party (UDP) thinking of pulling out from the Congress-led coalition. The UDP, the second largest partner in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), has openly expressed its dissatisfaction at the way the chief minister downsized his ministry to 12 from 41 ministers. Earlier, Congress MLAs, including outgoing home minister R.G. Lyngdoh, had also contested Lapang?s decision.
The inclusion of some first timers in place of experienced and seasoned politicians has been severely criticised by both the Congress and the regional party legislators. The chief minister had said he had followed a 4:1 ratio, that is, one minister for four MLAs, to make up the 12-member ministry.
However, his defence, which has been termed as ?a bundle of contradictions?, has landed Lapang in trouble with close political aides and a key regional ally like the UDP thinking of parting ways with the Congress. The UDP has nine MLAs in the coalition, of whom only one, Donkupar Roy, has been included in the downsized ministry.
?We are unhappy as we expected two if not three MLAs to be inducted into the downsized ministry. Lapang?s statement that a deputy chief minister?s portfolio is equivalent to two ministers is illogical. If that is the case, then the chief minister?s post should be equal to that of four ministers,? said UDP city unit chief Bindo Lanong. Party president Donkupar Roy is the deputy chief minister in the MDA. Lanong, a senior politician of the state and member of the UDP think-tank, said the party has been having ?informal meetings? to discuss the consequences of the chief minister?s decision.
They are also dwelling on his need to include, for instance, a political novice like Nehlang Lyngdoh in place of a seasoned and experienced politician like M. Suchiang from the Jaintia hills. ?Though no official decision has been taken so far, many UDP legislators are unhappy and expressed their disappointment at the chief minister?s decision. Therefore, chances of a pullout cannot be ruled out,? Lanong said.
Lapang?s attempt to get a firm hold on the situation has backfired completely as he finds his own partymen criticising his stand.