National People’s Party ( NPP) chief Conrad Kongkal Sangma was sworn in on Tuesday as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghlaya. Governor of Meghalaya Ganga Prasad administered the oath to 11 Cabinet Ministers at the swearing in ceremony organised at Raj Bhawan.
Of the 11 Ministers, four are from NPP, three from United Democratic Party (UDP), two from People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and one each from Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP).
James Pasang Kongkal Sangma, an NPP MLA and the brother of Chief Minister was also sworn in as a Cabinet Minister. The three other NPP Ministers include Prestone Tynsong, Snaiwbhalang Dhar and Comingone Ymbon.
Except James Sangma, all three others were part of the Congress-led government in Meghalaya in the past.
From the UDP Metbah Lygdoh, Lahkmen Rymbui and Kyrmen Shylla got berth in the Cabinet. Mr. Shylla is a first time MLA. Banteidor Lngdoh and Hamleston Dohling, the two first time MLAs from recently formed PDF party, were also sworn in.
Alexander L Hek, the leader of two member-led BJP legislature party in Meghalaya, was also inducted in the Council of Ministers.
Admitting that running a coalition government of different parties is a challenge, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the parties will 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 support of 34 MLAs including an independent legislator in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly which has strength of 60 members.
BJP President, Home Minister present for the function
BJP president Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh were also present at the swearing in ceremony. Chief Ministers of BJP-led government in Assam and Manipur Sarbananda Sonowal and N Biren Singh also attended the ceremony and congratulated the newly-sworn in Meghalaya Chief Minister.
“ This is an important development, the North East is becoming Congress Mukt. In most of the States here now there is either a BJP government or a government by the NDA,” Rajnath Singh said. The BJP leadership maintained that it has also played the role of facilitator in stitching the alliance of five parties.