Charge sheet has nothing to do with Congress' infighting: Sangma

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Friday said the charge sheeting of woman cabinet minister Deborah Ch. Marak has nothing to do with the internal bickering within the Congress.

"It (Deborah Marak's charge sheet) has no links with the internal bickering in the party," he told journalists after Congress leaders held a meeting with party general secretary in-charge of Meghalaya, V. Narayanasamy.

Some Congress legislators had met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi and reportedly demanded the removal of Sangma from the chief minister's post.

Marak, who has the social welfare portfolio, is also believed to be one of the disgruntled legislators seeking a change of leadership.

However, the chief minister said his government will not interfere in the case against Marak.

Marak has been charge sheeted for hatching a criminal conspiracy with terrorist outfit Garo National Liberation Army to win the 2013 assembly elections from Williamnagar constituency.

"The government will in no way interfere in the course of law. Police have charge sheeted the case based on its investigation after an FIR was lodged," Sangma said.

Marak's rival Independent candidate Jonathon N. Sangma said in a police complaint that the Congress leader sought the help of terrorist outfit GNLA to intimidate people to vote for her in the assembly polls.

Admitting the infighting within the party, Narayanasamy said the differences would be sorted out through discussions.

In the 60-member legislature, the Congress is the single largest party with 29 seats - two short of majority. The Nationalist Congress Party, which has two seats, and 11 Independent legislators are extending support to the Congress.