The other coalition partners had treated the affair as an internal matter of the Congress. The United Democratic Party, the Hills State Peoples Democratic Party, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and independents had maintained a wait and see attitude and had given no definite signal of their support to the anti – Mukul movement which had dampened the spirits of the rebels.

As nothing had moved in the state level, the rebels had turned to the All India Congress Committee high command at New Delhi and had camped at the national capital, knocking at the doors of Sonia Gandhi. AICC Secretary Dhaniram Shandil and others therefore could not be of much help as they were preoccupied with more important matters such as the holding of general elections in some states including West Bengal.

In the meantime, there was much public criticism that the entire state administration had suffered, including the implementation of development schemes and projects because of this camping at New Delhi for a long period of time and that the state had virtually turned into bureaucratic rule. Most of the rooms in the state Secretariat and the corridors of power wore an empty and desolate look.

Senior MPCC leaders including the President Friday Lyngdoh had no sympathy for the rebels and made several trips to the national capital apprising the fluid situation of the political scenario in Meghalaya. The change of governments and leadership in the state is a common feature and has not surprised the people and the political leadership in New Delhi.

MPCC President Friday Lyngdoh had asserted that the party can not afford another leadership change as it reflects badly on its image.

Sonia Gandhi fully assessed the situation and had taken a cold shoulder attitude in not giving an audience to the rebels while they were camping at New Delhi. The rebels therefore could not make much way though they had spelled out two or three names as alternative leaders including one of the most senior of leaders namely Deathwell D. Lapang and even Sayyedulla Nongrum. Further the Union Minister of State representing Shillong Vincent Pala had not given clear cut statements on the whole issue which had further weakened the voice of the rebels who ultimately flooded their camps in Delhi.

A public opinion was also formed specially through the media that constant change of governments and leadership in Meghalaya had brought about political instability and administrative inefficiency and that it is the citizens, especially the rural people who suffer.

The Governor of Meghalaya, R.S. Mooshahary was also recorded to have stated that the move to change the leadership is all about the greed for power. In fact, there were no specific charges made against the Chief Minister over the accusation that he functions in an arbitrary manner. Therefore, the stand and demands of the rebels seem none too convincing and are not enough to warrant a change of leadership. However, the motive of the demand can be surmised that the change of leadership and formation of an alternate government with a different set of ministers is to seize and gain political power keeping in mind the oncoming general elections in the state in the year 2013.

The high command therefore is wary of the situation judging from the statements of the AICC leadership including Secretary in charge of Meghalaya Sanjay Bapna who said that there was no infighting in the Congress in Meghalaya while he admitted that differences of opinion are there in any organisation in a democracy. Meanwhile, the UDP coalition partner had opined that political loss was due to flaws in the anti – defection law and that suitable amendments were needed in the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

However, the pulling of strings was visible when contradictory statements were made by MPCC President Friday Lyngdoh and Ms Deborah Marak the working President who admitted that there were some problems with the Congress legislators, while on the other hand Friday Lyngdoh had asserted that the party can not afford another leadership change as it reflects badly on its image. Both these party leaders of the MPCC had however submitted detailed reports to AICC President Sonia Gandhi and had also apprised AICC observers who had visited Shillong to take stock of the situation.

It was not until the first week of June 2011 that a decision was taken to reshuffle the Cabinet to serve as an answer to the demands of the rebels thereby bringing about a sense of party discipline in the state’s Congress party.

Thus it came about that four leading rebels were axed from the Cabinet which included Founder Cajee (Minister of Rural Development), F.W. Momin (Minister C&RD, Water Resources, Cooperation), Prestone Tynsong (Public Health Engineering) and Augustine Marak (Minister Civil Defence). In their places, A.L. Hek (Minister GAD and Water Resources), Shitlang Pale (Public Health Engineering, Civil Defence and Home Guards), Salseng Samgma (C&RD and PWD Buildings) were sworn in. The fourth minister would have been Stanley Wiss Rymbai who did not turn up at the swearing – in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Shillong. The reason given was that he was not feeling well. The absence of S.W. Rymbai had started much speculation, especially as all eyes are set at the promised convening of the Congress Legislature party and its outcome. Convening of the CLP is the prerogative of the CLP leader Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who, however, seems to be in no hurry. It is the hope against hope for the rebels that their call for the removal of Mukul Sangma, though flickering out, rises from the ashes to smite those holding on to the coveted seats of power.

Sumar Sing Sawian