Sangma inducts 11 ministers in Meghalaya
Shillong, Mar 12 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma today expanded his eight-day-old one-man ministry with the induction of eleven Congress legislators as cabinet ministers, including two deputy chief ministers.
Six of them were cabinet ministers in the previous Meghalaya United Alliance government headed by Dr Sangma himself. Three women legislators--Ampareen Lyngdoh, Deborah C Marak and Roshan Warjri--were also inducted in the council of ministers.
Rowell Lyngdoh, who was a deputy chief minister in the previous Sangma-led ministry, retained his deputy chief minister's rank while former education minister Prof RC Laloo was elevated to the rank of deputy chief minister.
M Ampareen Lyngdoh, the lone woman legislator in the previous assembly, HDR Lyngdoh, Prestone Tynsong and Alexander Hek also retained their cabinet berths in the new ministry.
The new faces in the Mukul Sangma cabinet include former deputy chief minister Deborah C Marak, former urban affairs minister Roshan Warjri, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Zenith M Sangma and Clement Marak.
Mr Zenith, who returned to the ninth assembly from Rangsakona constituency, is the youngest brother of the chief minister.
Governor RS Mooshahary administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 11 ministers.
On March 5, Dr Sangma was sworn in as Chief Minister for the second-time in a row after the governor invited him to form the new government following the Congress emerging as the single largest party with 29 legislators.
The Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA-II) government comprises 42 legislators--28 from the Congress, two from Nationalist Congress Party and 12 Independent members.
The Opposition Meghalaya People's Front comprised eight UDP, two NPP, one GNC and two Independents. The HSPDP which has four legislators in the opposition is not part of the combined opposition MPF.