Date:13/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/13/stories/2008031355721200.htm

National

Seven Ministers sworn in

Special Correspondent

Guwahati: Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang on Wednesday inducted seven legislators including three independents into his ministry but kept four ministerial berths vacant for future expansion.

The Governor administered the oath of office and secrecy to the seven legislators at a hurriedly convened swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Shillong.

‘Confident’

“We are confident that there will be no need for the House to go in for a trust vote as we will defeat the Congress in the Speaker’s election and thereby make Chief Minister D.D. Lapang resign on moral ground two days ahead of the scheduled trust vote on March 20,” former Lok Sabha speaker and MPA leader Purno Agitok Sangma told The Hindu.