The Hindu : Front Page : Lapang sworn in Meghalaya Chief Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 11, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Lapang sworn in Meghalaya Chief Minister

Sushanta Talukdar

Guwahati: D.D. Lapang was sworn in Chief Minister of Meghalaya on Saturday after J.D. Rymbai quit the hot seat, ending the week-long political uncertainty in the State.

Governor M.M. Jacob also administered the oath of office and secrecy to 11 other Ministers at a hurriedly organised swearing-in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan.

Of the 11, eight were from the Congress and one each from the United Democratic Party, the Meghalaya Democratic Party, and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement.

Immediately after the swearing-in, Dr. Lapang convened a Cabinet meeting and discussed the Governor's address for the budget session, beginning on Monday.

Mr. Rymbai replaced Dr. Lapang as Chief Minister on June 15 last, when the latter quit in the wake of a revolt against him by party legislators.

Congress sources said a compromise formula was worked out to include four Rymbai-loyalists and one each from the coalition partners in the new Ministry.

Mr. Rymbai put in his papers after meeting Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi in the morning. Dr. Lapang, who was elected the new Congress Legislature Party leader, then went to the Raj Bhavan to stake his claim to form the government.

Mr. Dasmunsi rushed to Shillong on Saturday after Mr. Rymbai did not put in his papers. Mr. Rymbai had announced in Delhi on March 6, after a meeting with party president Sonia Gandhi, that he would resign on Thursday to pave the way for Dr. Lapang. However, after retuning from Delhi, Mr. Rymbai changed his mind and decided to hold consultations with his loyalists and coalition partners.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page