SHILLONG, SEPT 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said it is a big loss for the opposition Congress with the sudden decision of its most senior leader Donwa Dethwelson (DD) Lapang, who according to him was “forced” to quit the party.
“It is a great loss for the Congress as senior people like him (Lapang) has resigned. It is also quite sad to see that Lapang was forced to resign at this point when he has contributed so much to the state and to the Congress party,” Sangma told reporters here on Friday.
In his resignation letter submitted to the Congress national chief Rahul Gandhi, the former five-time chief minister while citing the reason for his decision alleged that lately the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has been embarking upon a policy of “phasing out” senior and elderly people.
“In my opinion it means that their service and contribution of the senior and elderly people is no longer useful to the party,” Lapang had stated.
Seeing all the contributions and the kind of work he has done, Sangma, also the National People’s Party (NPP) national president said, “I think a person like that should have been given the due respect but it is sad that this is how things have been where he had no option but to resign from the Congress party.”
“Therefore it is quite sad and a person of his stature should not have been treated in that manner,” he added.
The chief minister also lauded the veteran politician and said Lapang has got a lot of concerns for the people and the state.
“I am happy to see that he is still very active and he has always taken up issues that are concerning the people and the state. I think the Congress will realize that it is a great loss to the party,” he said.
Asked whether the NPP would make its move to bring Lapang into the party’s fold, Sangma however said that is something Lapang has to take a call.
“We will discuss and see and I don’t think it’s the right platform and right time to talk about such a thing but yes it is something we can look at and discuss,” he said.
Stating that the coalition government led by the NPP has always been looking at individuals who are concern about the people and the state, Sangma said whether he (Lapang) comes or if he comes to the NPP or UPD or PDF that is something Lapang has to decide.
“But I think people with such a track record and whose experience and with all the knowledge can be used in so many ways,” he stated.
By Our Reporter
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