The show-cause has been issued to six of its MLAs from the Garo Hills of whom five are dissidents pressing for a change of leadership and currently camping in Delhi.

AICC in-charge of Meghalaya, Dhaniram Shandil and Sanjay Bapna, were present at the review meeting skipped by the rebel MLAs.

“I have asked them to explain the reason why they failed to attend the flagship meeting of the party. They were supposed to attend the meetings held at Tura and Williamnagar in Garo Hills on Wednesday,” MPCC president Friday Lyngdoh said yesterday.

Lyngdoh said their action was against the party’s interest and tantamount to showing disregard for the AICC leaders.

The MLAs have been given time till May 3 to reply.

Sources said one of the MLAs, Sayedullah Nongrum – also in New Delhi – has sent his reply.

Asked if the MPCC would take action against the dissident MLAs, Lyngdoh said, “We have no official information about it. We can’t rely on media report unless we receive a report from AICC. AICC will send us a report if that is so and we will see after receiving the report from AICC.

“They have not submitted any grievances against the CM or anybody to the grievance committee in the State, which has been constituted for this purpose,” the MPCC chief said.

Party sources said the eight dissident MLAs camping in New Delhi have sought appointment with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her political advisor Ahmed Patel, but have not been able to meet them so far.

The rebel MLAs are unhappy at Mukul Sangma’s ‘autocratic way of functioning’and demanded a change of leadership.

Sangma is battling a revolt from 18 legislators, including six Cabinet Ministers.

Sangma took over the reins after four-time Chief Minister Lapang, who could not complete a full five year term even once, was forced to quit after a revolt in his party last year.

Sangma’s government is the 22nd government the State saw in its 38 year history. – PTI