Shillong, July 1: Meghalaya chief minister D.D. Lapang is said to be troubled by the hectic lobbying that is still going on in Delhi to remain in the downsized state ministry. Though Lapang has just returned from Delhi after submitting his list of 12 ministers, former ministers and MLAs of his own party, the Congress, have not yet given up hope. Sources said that besides Lapang, other Congress leaders also carried their own lists to the capital. The deadline for downsizing the ministry from the existing 41 to 12 ministers is July 6.
A senior Congress leader said, ?There could be a few surprises as the original list might be changed.? The Congress leader, who was also in Delhi with Lapang and Meghalaya PCC president Salseng C. Marak, hinted at the possibility of inclusion of Congress MLA Sayeedullah Nongrum in place of Manirul Islam Sarkar.
Lapang is likely to announce the names of the 11 ministers, apart from himself, tomorrow. The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) cabinet is also meeting tomorrow. Sources said the new list might see the inclusion of two MLAs from Jaintia hills. Most of the changes are likely to be in the Congress, not in the coalition partners. The berths of the three presidents of the United Democratic Party, the Meghalaya Democratic Party and the Khun Hynniewtyrep National Awakening Movement are almost confirmed.
A senior Congress leader said most of the lists have been submitted to AICC president Sonia Gandhi, who is expected to announce her decision soon. The final list will be faxed to Lapang and Marak.