Donkupar Roy appointed Meghalaya CM

Ending a week-long political turmoil in Meghalaya, Congress-led DD Lapang Ministry on Wednesday resigned ahead of the trust vote in the assembly after failing to muster majority and rival UDP leader Donkupar Roy was appointed the new Chief Minister.

Roy, who met Governor SS Sidhu along with other MLAs of the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance, which is headed by NCP leader PA Sangma, was handed over the letter appointing him to lead the new government, Raj Bhavan sources said. He will be sworn in at 6:30 pm at the Governor's house.

MPA spokesman and Khnam MLA Paul Lyngdoh said along with Roy, a batch of five to six ministers are expected to take oath.

Earlier, capping speculation, Lapang, who was heading the minority Meghalaya United Alliance, resigned, half an hour ahead of the floor test he was to face in the assembly on the directions of the Governor.

Speaking to reporters after a Congress Legislature Party meeting, Lapang, who had the support of 28 members including two independents, said "Congress could not garner requisite support. So the CLP decided that I should resign". Thereafter, he went to the Governor and submitted his resignation.

Lyngdoh said the other new ministers would be sworn in on Thursday after the election of the Speaker.

Sangma, the architect of the MPA, said the alliance members would meet before the swearing in to finalize other formalities and details.

He also indicated that the ministerial berths have been finalized, but refused to disclose them.

Share

Blogger Widgets

One more non-Manipuri worker shot dead, toll rises to 15

The attack on migrant labourers in Manipur continued on Wednesday with unidentified militants gunning down a worker in their drive against non-Manipuris in the state even as indefinite night curfew was imposed in all the four valley districts.

Fifteen workers have been shot dead so far since Monday night.

The militants on Wednesday drove up and shot dead the non-Manipuri labourer at Kumbi market area, 50 km from here, where he was working, official sources said.

The militants escaped before the police arrived.

Seven non-Manipuris were gunned down by militants on Monday night in Imphal west district and another seven in Imphal East and Thoubal districts yesterday. Papers saying 'go back to your state' were attached to some victims.

Meanwhile, the administration has imposed indefinite night curfew from 6 pm to 5 in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur districts.

Describing the killings as "uncivilised, brutal and acts of cowardice", Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh told the Manipur assembly that there would be round-the-clock vigil at 42 checkposts in Imphal and surrounding areas to prevent the movement of militants.

Participating in a short discussion, he said steps would be taken to book the culprits and there would be "no negotiation" with them. Singh also blamed human rights groups for maintaining silence on the issue.

Meanwhile, relief camps were opened in Thoubal district to shelter 600 migrant labourers.

Instructions have also been given to authorities in other districts to open camps if necessary, the sources said.

Share

Blogger Widgets

Lapang may quit ahead of tomorrow's floor test

Apparently facing defeat, DD Lapang, heading a minority government of a Congress-led coalition in Meghalaya, may quit ahead of Wednesday's crucial floor test.

Highly-placed sources in the Congress said he may take the decision during an emergency meeting of the Congress Legislature Party convened on Tuesday evening.

Asked by Governor SS Sidhu to prove his majority by Wednesday, Chief Minister Lapang had got the Speaker's election postponed on Monday apparently fearing defeat in the first trial of strength.

There was speculation that Lapang may quit before Wednesday's test to avoid embarrassment as the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) was still three short of the magic number, despite desperate attempts to woo MLAs from the rival Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) camp.

The sources also indicated that along with Lapang, state Congress president OL Nongtdu may also quit on moral grounds. With 28 legislators, including three Independents, in the 60-member House, Congress is desperate to win over MLAs from the rival MPA in the floor test.

Governor Sidhu's decision to invite Congress, which emerged as the single-largest party after the recent polls, to form the government was attacked by the rival alliance which moved the Supreme Court against it. The apex court, however, refused to intervene in the issue at that stage.

The postponement of the Speaker's election, which would have been a clear indicator of the strength of the Lapang ministry on the floor of the House, drew flak from MPA.

NCP leader PA Sangma, architect of the MPA, has asked Lapang to resign gracefully. Meanwhile, MPA's chief ministerial candidate and United Democratic Party (UDP) president Donkupar Roy said Congress had approached the the alliance for support.

"We told them it was too late. The MPA members are committed to stay united and give a stable and corruption-free government for five years," Roy said, adding the alliance was hopeful of more votes, other than those in the MPA camp.

Besides 14 NCP MLAs, MPA has legislators from UDP, two from Hill State People's Democratic Party, one each from BJP and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, besides two Independents.

Share

Blogger Widgets