D D Lapang sworn in as Meghalaya CM

Shillong, May 13 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Donwa
Dethwelson Lapang was Wednesday sworn-in as the chief minister
of India's north-eastern state of Meghalaya where President's
rule was lifted on Friday.

Governor R S Mooshahary administered the oath of
office and secrecy to Lapang at a programme in Raj Bhavan.

Lapang heads an alliance, Meghalaya United Alliance,
comprising Congress and a regional party, United Democratic
Party (UDP).

The alliance has 37 Members of Legislative Assembly
(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.

Meghalaya was under President's rule since March 18
after the governor reported that there was a 'breakdown of
constitutional machinery'.

Besides Lapang, Deputy Chief Minister Mukul Sangma
(Congress) and five other ministers -- R C Laloo, M M Dangoo,
Ampareen Lyngdoh (all Congress), J A Lyngdoh (UDP) and A T
Mondol (Ind) -- were also sworn-in.

Ampareen Lyndog, who joined the Congress from UDP last
month, is not a member of the house now and has to be elected
within six months. PTI