Constitutional impropriety in Meghalaya

The Congress party must not set bad precedent in parliamentary democracy as it is doing in Meghalay by having two Chief Ministers. The Congress Party, which is in power in Meghalaya is trying its hands at tinkering with Constitution. According to the tradition and democratic norms and standard, there is only one leader of majority party legislatures in the assembly of the state whom Governor appoints as Chief Minister who delivers executive power. The Congress party has bestowed chief ministerial rank, status,perks and privileges on another leader to subside rebellion within the party. It is its own novel idea. D D Lapang is the Congress Chief Minister in the tiny state of Meghalaya and he has promoted his deputy state party President Friday Lyngdoh to the rank of CM. It is only going to create confusion and chaos in the functioning of the government. Constitutionally, only the CM can take final decision on any matter in the state. He is the executive head but with chief ministerial status ,rank,perks and privileges to his deputy Lingdoh can be expected to remain content with only perks and privileges and would not interfere with the fuctioning of the government. In the 60 member Meghalaya assembly, Congress has only 28 and with the support of 10 other MLAs, it has formed the Government. Congress’ view on the Meghalaya development is that it has been done only to provide stability to the government. By subverting the democratic norms and system and resorting to Constitutional impropriety, Congress party is setting bad precedent. Congress highcommand needs to look into Meghalaya affairs immediately to stop Constitutional tinkering by Lapang Government. Democratic norms and tradition must be maintained. It is widely believed that with 8 dissident MLAs Lyngdoh was posing threat to the government. That is why the Chief Minister has given him the rank,status, perks and privileges to pacify him.To give stable government does not justify the act of Constitutional impropriety. Meghalaya, which has witnessed just two chief ministers complete their five-year terms since its creation in 1972, is attempting elusive political stability with what amounts to a novel contribution to democracy. Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Friday Lyngdoh, who had the rank of deputy CM, has been brought on par in rank and status with chief Minister DD Lapang to quell increasing threats to the shaky Congress government. Besides the two CMs, the state also has a couple of deputy CMs — Mukul Sangma and Bindo M Lanong. This bizarre attempt to tinker with the Constitution is aimed at ensuring the longevity of the Lapang govt., which is riven by dissension led by none other than Friday Lyngdoh. His elevation is seen as a move to pacify simmering resentment among some senior Congress members miffed at being denied a ministerial berth in the Lapang cabinet. Congress is not only the oldest and largest party in the country but also ruling at the Centre and in the state of Maharashtra. If it fails to stop the tinkering with Constitution by its own party government in Meghalaya, what can be expected from other political parties? The developing situation is highly objectionable both democratically and constitutionally. The rule of law and the tradition in democracy must not be ignored. Congress must direct its state unit of Meghalay to respect democratic values and constitutional proprietary.