National People’s Party (NPP) head Conrad K. Sangma was on March 7 sworn in as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya to head a coalition government for the second straight term.
He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Phagu Chauhan at a ceremony at the Raj Bhawan in Shillong in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP national president J.P. Nadda.
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Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, both of the NPP were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers apparently as a bid by the party to have representations at the top from all three regions of the State — Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
While Mr. Sangma is from the Garo Hills, Mr. Tynsong is from the Khasi Hills and Mr. Dhar is from the Jaintia Hills. The Khasi and Jaintia Hills are often regarded as one region.
Nine others were sworn in as Ministers. They include five of the NPP, two of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and one each of the BJP and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).
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Among the Ministers are M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, the only woman and Abu Taher Mondal, the only non-tribal. Both are of the NPP.
The NPP had emerged as the single largest party in the elections by bagging 26 of the State’s 60 seats (elections were held in 59 after the UDP’s candidate for the Sohiong constituency died during the campaign).
Mr. Sangma has 45 MLAs with him. They include 11 of the UDP, two each of the BJP, the HSPD and the People’s Democratic Front and two Independents.
After the Shillong event, Mr. Modi and other Central BJP leaders and Mr. Sarma would leave for Kohima for the swearing-in of Neiphiu Rio as the Chief Minister of Nagaland for the fifth time, twice as a leader of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
Yanthungo Patton of the BJP would be sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland.
The NDPP and BJP went to the February 27 Assembly polls after striking a seat-sharing deal and won 25 and 12 seats respectively.
Nagaland is set to have an Opposition-less government with almost all parties extending support to the NDPP-BJP in the 60-member House.
ANI adds:
‘Portfolios to be distributed in next 24-48 hrs’
After taking oath as Meghalaya CM, Mr. Sangma said that the portfolios will be distributed in the next 24-48 hours. While talking to the media persons in Shillong, Mr. Sangma said, “We will continue to work on the foundations we have laid in the last five years for the development of the state. We are giving a lot of importance to youth and employment. The overall efficiency of benefits of various schemes reaching the grassroots level has improved.”The portfolios will be distributed in the next 24-48 hours,” he added.
“In a coalition, there’re always differences and issues that come up. But what’s important is that we should work together and find a way to amicably resolves issues. As we go forward we will ensure that we have better coordination and work as a strong team,” he further stated.
