Lapang takes oath as Meghalaya chief minister

Congress leader D D Lapang has taken the oath as chief minister of Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) in Meghalaya Wednesday following an accord with the United Democratic Party (UDP). The President rule was revoked in the state on Friday.

Governor R S Mooshahary administered the oath of office and secrecy to Lapang at a programme in Raj Bhavan.

•   E-mail Article
•   Printer Friendly
•   Text-Size    

Lapang on Tuesday called on Governor and submitted a letter of support from the UDP and Independent MLA Donkupar Massar, claiming majority in the 60-member house.

With the coming of UDP, which has 9 MLAs, and Independents to its fold, the Congress-led MUA has took the tally of the alliance to 37, much more than the minimum required 25 seats. The strength of the 60-member house was reduced to 55 after the disqualification of four MLAs and resignation of one UDP MLA.

Lapang stated in a letter to the Governor that his party has got the majority for formation and continuation of a viable government, while the UDP president and former chief minister Donkupar Roy said his party has signed an agreement before the Governor pledging their support to the Congress.

As per the agreement, the UDP will get a deputy chief ministership and two berths in the cabinet.

Before stitching an alliance with UDP, Congress, which is the single largest party having 26 MLAs, was in touch with NCP, the second largest party, but the talks reportedly failed owing to alleged five berths demand and, in addition, opposition from a sizeable chunk of state Congress members.

The next alternative for the Congress was unmistakably UDP, which had already offered unconditional support to the party after the NCP, led by P A Sangma, ditched the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) and started meeting with the Congress leaders.

Before imposition of the President’s rule, UDP was part of the NCP-led ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance. The President’s rule was imposed on the Governor’s recommendation even after the MPA had survived the controversial trust vote. The Union Cabinet had recommended revocation of President's Rule last Friday.

Earlier after 2008 Assembly election in Meghalaya, D D Lapang was invited by the Governor to form the government by virtue of being the largest party in the Assembly. The INC-led MUA was given 10 days to prove majority in the house, but Lapang resigned before the prescribed date viewing “no majority” to win the confidence vote.