National People’s Party (NPP) chief Conrad Kongkal Sangma was sworn in on Tuesday as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghlaya. Governor Ganga Prasad administered the oath to 11 Ministers at the swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhawan.
Of the 11 Ministers, four are from the NPP, three from the United Democratic Party (UDP), two from the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and one each from the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the BJP.
James Pasang Kongkal Sangma, an NPP MLA and brother of the Chief Minister, was also sworn in as a Minister. The three other NPP Ministers are Prestone Tynsong, Snaiwbhalang Dhar and Comingone Ymbon.
Except Mr. James Sangma, the other three were part of the Congress-led government.
From the UDP, Metbah Lygdoh, Lahkmen Rymbui and Kyrmen Shylla got berths in the Cabinet. Mr. Shylla is a first time MLA. Banteidor Lngdoh and Hamleston Dohling, the two first-time MLAs from the PDF party, were also sworn in.
Alexander L Hek, leader of two member-led BJP legislature party in Meghalaya, was inducted in the Council of Ministers.
Admitting that running a coalition government of different parties is a challenge, the Chief Minister said that the parties would communicate among themselves and respect each other.
“It is my duty to take everyone along,” he told journalists. The Chief Minister will be running a government with the support of legislators of five parties including his own. The NPP-led government claims the support of 34 MLAs, including an independent legislator.The Assembly strength is 60.
BJP president, Unon Home Minister present in function
BJP president Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh were present at the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Ministers of the BJP-led government in Assam and Manipur, Sarbananda Sonowal and N Biren Singh, also attended the ceremony and congratulated the Meghalaya Chief Minister.
“This is an important development, the Northeast is becoming Congress ''mukt'' . In most of the States here, now there is either a BJP government or a government of the NDA,” Mr. Rajnath Singh said.
The BJP leadership maintained that it had played the role of facilitator in stitching the alliance of five parties.
