Conrad Sangma becomes Meghalaya CM

Shillong, March 6 ( IANS) National People's Party (NPP) leader Conrad Kongkal Sangma, son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Sangma, was on Tuesday sworn in as the 12th chief minister of Meghalaya.

Governor Ganga Prasad administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 40-year-old Tura Lok Sabha member, who was projected as the leader of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition.

The MDA includes 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 BJP, one from the Nationalist Congress Party besides two Independent members.

Conrad Sangma is a non-elected 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 (HSPDP).