SHILLONG, March 9 � Meghalaya Congress has been directed by 10 Janpath to distance itself from Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong�s controversial �venomous viper� remark.
�We are not responsible for any statement made by a non-Congress party member. Congress party stands for women�s cause and hold women in high esteem,� Meghalaya Congress party president, Friday Lyngdoh said.
Lanong called a section of women �venomous vipers� after his claim of no women oppression in Meghalaya was refuted. The women are demanding a public apology for the defamatory statement, but Lanong has refused.
Yesterday, several women organisations wore black badges and organised a signature campaign against Lanong on International Women�s Day.
Like at the Centre, the Congress here too is heading a coalition government. Lanong incidentally belongs to United Democratic Party, a coalition partner with nine members in the ruling Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) Government.
�The All India Congress Committee (AICC) expressed concern over the statement and has asked party leaders about it,� Minister in-charge Education and the lone woman legislator in the 60-member House, Ampareen Lyngdoh said.
The Congress which is championing the cause of women by trying to introduce the Women�s bill in the Parliament view the Meghalaya Dy CM�s comment as unwanted publicity.
