By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: NPP national president and Tura MP Conrad Sangma was sworn in as the 12th and youngest chief minister of Meghalaya along with 11 other cabinet ministers on Tuesday on the sprawling lawns of Raj Bhavan here ending the Congress-led coalition’s 10-year rule in the state.
40-year-old Sangma leads the newly-formed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance comprising five political parties including the BJP.
He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Ganga Prasad.
The 11 ministers who were administered oath of office and secrecy are Prestone Tynsong, James Sangma, Sniawbhalang Dhar and Comingone Ymbon (all from NPP), Metbah Lyngdoh, Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla (all UDP), Banteidor Lyngdoh and Hamlet Dohling of the PDF, Samlin Malngiang of HSPDP and AL Hek of the BJP.
Despite HSPDP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit’s disapproval of the coalition, the two HSPDP MLAs were present during the swearing-in ceremony with one of them, Samlin, taking oath as minister.
Ardent, however, was not present at the ceremony which was attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Neiphiu Rio who is the CM designate of Nagaland, among other dignitaries.
Among the opposition members, former chief ministers Mukul Sangma and DD Lapang and Congress MLAs Dikkanchi Shira and Zenith Sangma were present.
No representation
from Ri Bhoi
While there are only two representations — the chief minister and his brother James — in the cabinet from Garo Hills, cabinet ministers representing the Khasi Hills are Tynsong, Hek, Banteidor, Hamlet and Samlin.
The ministers representing the Jaintia Hills are Sniawbhalang, Comingone, Rymbui and Kyrmen Shylla while West Khasi Hills is represented by Metbah.
The allotment of cabinet berths was in line with the policy of one berth to a party which has two MLAs.
Motto: Good governance
Speaking to the media here after the swearing-in ceremony, Conrad said the focus of the new government would be on providing good governance which is missing in Meghalaya for several years.
“It is important to get everything on track and we will look into the different sectors separately,” he assured.
Asked about the HSPDP threat of pulling out of the alliance, Sangma said every party has the right to express their opinions and all opinions would be respected.
“The two HSPDP MLAs are very much with us and they have also expressed their opinions,” Sangma said, maintaining that the two non-Congress governments in Assam and Meghalaya will discuss the long-pending boundary dispute between the two states.
Stating that the real challenge for the government starts now, Sangma expressed confidence that all the cabinet ministers as well as the 60 MLAs from different political parties will work together to take the state forward.
“We know there will be challenges and we are ready to face those challenges,” Sangma said, adding that coalition governments always face challenges and the need of the hour is open channels of communication.
He added that it was the new CM’s duty to carry everyone along.
Rajnath assures Centre’s cooperation
Speaking to media persons after the swearing-in ceremony, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh extended his greetings to the new dispensation in Meghalaya and assured the Centre’s all out cooperation to the NPP-led MDA Government.