SHILLONG, OCT 5: Former Congress veteran leader DD Lapang today announced his decision to be the “big uncle” of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, a day after his appointment as its chief adviser.
“After thinking properly and after consulting with my friends, my family, I have decided to accept this proposal (chief adviser),” Lapang told reporters here on Friday.
The five times former chief minister was appointed as chief adviser, the post he held earlier during the then Congress-led state government, following his recent resignation from the Congress as a mark of protest against its policy of phasing out senior and elderly people.
He said when the approach came from the government side, they did not mention about joining any political parties.
“They (MDA) say we do not come here to invite you to join any party but we want to convey that we would like you to be our “big uncle” and for you to guide us and the government. I told them that I want a free hand to serve but I don’t want to be restricted,” Lapang said.
According to him, after sometimes he received the notification that they have appointed him as chief adviser to the government of Meghalaya.
The veteran political leader however said that he had not met the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong yet as both of them are out of station but had only got a telephone call from them.
“I thanked the MDA government for giving this assignment and I would work together with the government,” he said adding “Here I am to see that I would serve the people and I would serve as long as I live.”
Stating that his appointment does not indicate that he has joined any political party, Lapang however said, “I will associate with any agency that gives me chance to serve more people, on this basis I accept this proposal, which is a collective decision of the government.”
The six-party MDA government also comprises of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), and Nationlist Congress Party (NCP).
Asked whether he would consider joining any of the political parties in the ruling government, the former chief minister said, “I have not listed the list and I have put the pencil to tick mark so that question is yet to come my way it will take time for me to do that.”
The veteran politician also dismissed reports that he would float a new political party.
“Floating a new political party with my grey hair, it is only a wild dream,” Lapang said.
By Our Reporter
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