AMN /SHILLONG
Conrad Sangma has been sworn-in as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya. The National People’s Party (NPP) President, who is the son of former Lok Sabha Speaker late PA Sangma, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Ganga Prasad at a function in Shillong today.
Along with Mr Sangma, 11 other Ministers from NPP’s alliance partners, including UDP, PDF and BJP, also took oath. These include James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma, the elder brother of Conrad Sangma, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Hamletson Dohling and Alexander Laloo Hek.
Later, talking to reporters, Mr Sangma said, his focus will be to provide good governance to the people of the state and to implement various central government schemes which will bring development in the region.
BJP President Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh were among those present on the occasion.
Earlier, Mr Sangma was invited by the Governor to form the government after he staked the claim with the support of 34 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.
The MLAs include 19 from NPP, six from UDP, four from PDF, two each from the Hill State People’s Democratic Party and BJP, and an Independent.
Meghalaya threw up a fractured mandate in the Assembly polls on Saturday. The Congress, which had been in power in the state for the last 10 years, won 21 seats.