IT is the Gegong Apang effect. The Mithi ouster despite a comfortable majority in the Assembly in has shaken the shaky and coalition government in Meghalaya with former Chief Minister S. C. Marak, who is also the PCC president not ruling out a replay of Arunachal Pradesh-design in Shillong. He said his party was keeping a close watch on various forces that might disturb the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government. A general body meting will be held where the Arunachal episode would be discussed and analysed, he said. The MPCC echoed what its counterparts in the rest of country had opined that both the NDA government and the NSCN were “behind” the ouster of the Mukut Mithi government in Arunachal Pradesh Marak said the party’s central leaders were also expected to participate in the PCC meeting, which would deliberate on performance of the government, present law and order situation and political development after the possible merger of the MDP and the United Democratic Party. Preparations for the coming general Lok Sabha and district council elections in Meghalaya would come up for discussion during the meeting. Regarding the arrest of its senior member and former minister K. C. Boro, the MPCC president said the party would take action only after police report and other relevant matters after investigation reports. DONKUPAR FOR LAPANG Is Chief Minister Lapang on his way out of Meghalaya Sachivalaya? This rumour has been doing rounds for a while. For the present, the speculation has been laid to rest by Deputy Chief Minister and president of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Donkupar Roy. He brushed aside as mere gossip reports that he was planning to usurp the Chief Minister’s chair.

Speculation became ripe after the news of Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) rejoining the parent body United Democratic Party (UDP). Roy said that with the union of the two bodies the state should once again see a very strong regional front. This doesn’t mean a toppling game is in the offing. There is absolutely no question of forming an alternative front, declared  United Democratic Party chief  and reaffirmed his commitment to stand by the Congress led  government headed by D. D. Lapang.

He said that his party is always in favour of MDP returning back to the parent party and the breakthrough which has been achieved would mean a lot for keeping the coalition government intact at least for the next five years. He also said that the party would prefer to support the congress led government without any second thought. Roy said that the National parties always took advantage of the mistrust among the regional parties and thrives on its weaknesses. However, with P. A. Sangma waiting at the wings, Meghalaya Chief Minister D. D. Lapang must be a worried man today, especially after what happened in Arunachal.

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