Empty boasts backfire on Lapang

Even the party8217;s coalition partners 8212; the United Democratic Party UDP, Meghalaya Democratic Party MDP, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement KHNAM and Hills State People Democratic Party HSPDP 8212; kept away from the function to release the brochure.

Of the 8220;achievements8221; listed in the brochure, Lapang can hardly claim credit for any, despite being at the helm since May last year when he took over from senior party colleague J D Rymbai. Predictably, newspapers had a field day mocking the 8220;achievement brochure.8221;

The setback comes at a time when the Congress8217;s coalition partners are also trying to distance themselves from the party.

The United Democratic Party UDP, which is the second largest party in the Congress-led MDA coalition Government, has been going hammer and tongs against Lapang for handing over five power projects to the J P Group, Dharampal Satya Pal and D S Group. Said UDP spokesperson Bindo M Lanong: 8220;The UDP was not consulted when the power deals were being brokered by Lapang and it raises suspicions of unholy understandings at the ministerial level.8221;

Surprisingly, Chief Minister D D Lapang left out 8212; what many consider the real achievement of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance Government 8212; the surrender by Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council HNLC chairman Julius Dorphang. The banned outfit received a jolt when Dorphang, one of its founder members, quietly decided to come 8220;overground8221; and surrender in May last year.

Dorphang8217;s surrender weakened the HNLC and gave peace a realistic chance in the state. And Lapang8217;s Government could have easily claimed credit for this.