Guwahati: The Congress is reportedly planning to topple the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government in Meghalaya.
Political crisis has deepened in the state after two ministers quit Chief Minister Donkupar Roy's Cabinet. Two independent MLAs had earlier withdrawn support for the government.
The Congress, which is the single largest party in the Assembly, now says it will stake claim to form the government on Monday. Differences have cropped up between Congress and NCP, both United Progressive Alliance constituents over seat sharing.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar has also given broad that he wants to be the prime ministerial candidate.
Meanwhile Senior NCP leader PA Sangma on Friday hinted that a coalition government with Congress, NCP and UDP was in the offing.
The former Lok Sabha Speaker asserted that the MPA would survive a trial of strength on the floor of the Assembly on March 17.
"I can confidently say that the MPA will prove its majority on the floor of the House," Sangma said, adding he would call on Governor RS Mooshahary on Saturday.
Congress has lots of veteran and experienced leaders, who perhaps are thinking that their talent is being wasted," Sangma, the architect of the non-Congress MPA, said at his residence.
He said he was not averse to a coalition government in the state involving the Congress and NCP, provided it also included the regional party UDP.
"I am prepared for any arrangement for the sake of stability and development in the state," Sangma said.
Pointing out that MPA legislators, including two Independents had deserted it triggering the present political crisis, Sangma said "If Independent MLAs can hold the state to ransom, it does give us food for thought."
Earlier in the day, Mooshahary had ruled out the possibility of Presidents Rule in the state, saying it was 'hypothetical at this juncture.
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Pointing out that Meghalaya has already had two governments in less than a year since the Assembly elections last March, Sangma said "an attempt at forming a third government now is totally against the interest of the people. Instability has been the main cause of under-development in the state for the last 30 years."
Asked if he had a 'deal' with the Congress while in New Delhi recently, the veteran politician said, "There is no question of any deal. I was in Delhi as I am the chairman of the NCP's National Drafting committee for preparing the party manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls."
He said he met Shillong MP PR Kyndiah of the Congress while in Delhi with both agreeing that instability was not good for the state.
The MPA, which lost majority after two Independents and the lone MLA from KHNAM pulled out, felt another shock on Friday when the Deputy Speaker and NCP MLA Sanbor Shullai disappeared.
Chief Minister Donkupar Roy said that Shullai's whereabouts were not known since Thursday.
But in Guwahati, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the 'missing' Meghalaya Deputy Speaker was with the Congress.
"Shullai is with us and with the party," Sarma, who is also the party spokesman, said.
He claimed that he had been 'asked' by the party high command to help Meghalaya Congress leader DD Lapang to form a Congress government in that state. "Every thing is free and fair in politics."
The minister alleged that NCP leader Sangma had 'interfered' in Assam politics and so it was his turn to 'interfere in Meghalaya politics'.
Meanwhile, Speaker BM Lanong has issued show-cause notice to the two Independents who had left the MPA, asking them why action should not be taken against them. He asked them to reply within three days.
(With inputs from PTI)
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