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CONRAD Sangma Headed Coalition Meghalaya Govt Sworn In

Conrad Sangma, president of the National People’s Party (NPP) and Lok Sabha MP from Tura, on Tuesday became the 12th Chief Minister of north-eastern State of Meghalaya. NPP is an ally of BJP at the Centre and in Nagaland. Governor Ganga Prasad administered oath and secrecy in Raj Bhavan in Shillong along with 11 other members of his Council of Ministers. The other Ministers are   Prestone  Tynsong (NPP), James Sangma (NPP), A L Hek (BJP), Sniawbhalang Dhar (NPP), Comingone Ymbon (NPP), Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP), Lakmen Rymbui (UDP), Kyrmen Shylla (UDP), Banteidor Lyngdoh (PDF), Hamlet Dohling  (PDF) and  Samlinv Malngiang (HSPDP).Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and BJP National Spokesperson Nalin Kohli were present at the swearing-in ceremony. The new government is supported by 34 MLAS in the 60-Member state legislative assembly. Election of one constituency has been postponed following death of a candidate.NPP headed by Sangma claimed has 19 MLAs. Six MLAs of the United Democratic Party (UDP), four of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), two each of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the BJP (two) and an Independent have pledged support to him. Meghalaya threw up a fractured mandate on Saturday with the Congress emerging the largest party, marginally ahead of the NPP, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Manipur. Conrad Kongkal Sangma, who had been part of the state politics before entering the national stage, will become the 12th chief minister of Meghalaya on Tuesday. He debuted in electoral politics in 2005 and unsuccessfully contested e Assembly by-polls from Selsella losing to Clement Marak of the Congress. He had not contested the 2018 assembly poll. Conrad was first appointed as the State Finance Minister during the tenure of the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance in 2008. However, his stint did not last long as the government collapsed exactly a year later. After being reduced to minority in the Assembly, Conrad also acted as the opposition leader between 2009 and 2013. He successfully contested the by-election from Tura Lok Sabha constituency and won with a thumping majority following the sudden demise of his father Padma Vibhushan Purno A Sangma.PA Sangma, also a former CM from 198-90, was elected MP in 2014. (pic The Shillong Times)

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