The Congress party, a   coalition partner in the Peoples’ Forum of Meghalaya (PFM) Government, was likely to   continue in the coalition despite differences within the party over dropping of seven Congress ministers. “As the Treasury bench is unstable, the Congress cannot      opt out of the Government,” Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer, in-charge of North-Eastern states, said.

Mr. Aiyer recently visited Shillong for an on-the-spot study    of the political situation in the  State, held a marathon meeting   with his party colleagues at the residence of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president and former chief minister Salseng C Marak. Mr. Aiyer said that he heard the opinions of the legislators, but whatever decision would be taken, that would be with consensus in the party. He said he would submit the report of the meeting to Sonia Gandhi.

The Meghalaya Congress is a divided house after Chief Minister F. A. Khonglam dropped seven Congress Ministers to accommodate United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators, who joined PFM Government recently. Congress legislature party leader and Deputy Chief Minister D. D. Lapang preferred to continue with PFM government while K. C. Boro and some others who were dropped from ministership, called for discontinuation.

Dr. Khonglam, the lone Independent, now heads a 39-member Ministry supported by 56 MLAs in the 60-member House. The ruling coalition now comprises the Congress - 16 members, NCP - 15, UDP - 13, Meghalaya United Democratic  Party - 8, Hill State People’s Democratic Party - 2, People’s Democratic Movement one and Independent one.    
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