D D Lapang sworn in as Meghalaya CM

SHILLONG: Senior Congress leader Donwa Dethwelson Lapang was today sworn-in as the chief minister of Meghalaya, for the fifth time, along with six ministers.

Governor R S Mooshahary administered the oath of office and secrecy to Lapang.

Lapang, who is heading a new alliance, Meghalaya United Alliance, comprising Congress and regional party, United Democratic Party (UDP), has been given 15 days to prove his majority in the House.

The alliance has 37 MLAs -- 26 from the Congress, nine from UDP and two Independents -- in the 60-member house, which now has an effective strength of 55 following resignation of one UDP MLA and disqualification of four others by the speaker recently.

Congress MLA Mukul Sangma was sworn in as Lapang's deputy, while two other MLAs from the Congress R C Laoo and M M Dangoo also found a berth.

Among the other ministers sworn in were Independent MLA A T Mondol, UDP MLA J A Lyngdoh and Ampareen Lyngdoh, who returned to the Congress after quitting the UDP from the Assembly last month. Lyngdoh will have to get elected within six months.

UDP leader and Speaker B M Lanong will also be inducted as one of the deputy chief ministers. "Once he relinquishes the office of the Speaker, he would be sworn in," Lapang said, adding that the cabinet would be expanded gradually.