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Lapang sworn in Chief Minister

Guwahati: Meghalaya Congress Legislature Party leader D.D. Lapang was sworn in Chief Minister of a new Congress-led government on Monday evening even as the newly formed Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and regional parties paraded 30 legislators before Governor S.S. Sidhu earlier in the day to back its claim to form a new government.

The Governor, however, invited Dr. Lapang to form the government and gave him 10 days to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly. Dr. Lapang was sworn in at 6.30 p.m. in a hurriedly convened and brief ceremony.

The Congress emerged the single largest party by winning 25 of the 59 results declared so far.

The result of one seat is awaited as polling there has been rescheduled for March 22.

The MPA — comprising the NCP, United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and two independents — claimed that it had the required strength of 31 in the House of 60 members.

An MPA delegation submitted to the Governor a letter of support of the UDP legislator and the former Chief Minister, E.K. Mawlong, who could not come due to illness.

After Dr. Lapang was invited, the MPA threatened to move the Supreme Court to challenge the Governor’s decision.

“We are not happy. We have two options. We can move the Supreme Court, which we will be doing tomorrow [Tuesday]. In the event of any delay in the litigation, we have the option of proving our majority and defeating the minority Congress government in the floor test, Mr. Roy told The Hindu over phone from Shillong.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Dr. Lapang told reporters that he had the numbers and would prove his strength.

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