Sangma takes charge as Meghalaya’s CM

National People’s Party (NPP) leader Conrad Kongkal Sangma, son of former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Sangma, was yesterday sworn in as the 12th chief minister of Meghalaya.Governor Ganga Prasad administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 40-year-old Sangma, a Lok Sabha member, who was projected as the leader of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition.The MDA is an alliance of five political parties that include six MLAs from the United Democratic Party, four from the People’s Democratic Front, two each from the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, one from the Nationalist Congress Party besides two Independent members.Sangma is not yet a member of 60-seat assembly. He has to get elected to the assembly within six months.Eleven other cabinet ministers were sworn in, including senior BJP legislator Alexander Laloo Hek and first-timer Samlin Malngiang of the HSPDP.On Monday, the HSPDP expressed reservation in forming the government with the BJP and also objected to Sangma being projected as the chief minister.“Each member has the democratic right to express an opinion... But their (HSPDP) legislators are very much with us, they have expressed their opinion and both are here with us,” Sangma told reporters.The new chief minister urged his coalition to work together as a team to ensure that Meghalaya made rapid progress.Watching the ceremony were Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, designated Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and former Assam and Mizoram chief ministers Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Zoramthanga.Outgoing chief minister Mukul Sangma too was present and mingled freely with BJP leaders.