Shillong, Apr 18 : In a late night development, Mukul Sangma has been named the new Chief Minister of Meghalaya. He replaces D D Lapang. The decision came after a leadership row in the state Congress. Sangma is currently the deputy chief minister of the state. Sangma had rushed to Delhi earlier on Saturday, apparently with an eye to the top job claiming the support of majority of the party's legislators.
With Lapang already camping in New Delhi at the summons of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Sangma reached there with 14 Congress MLAs, including 10 dissidents who have sought Lapangs ouster.
The development came after 21 of the 28 Congress MLAs, including some detractors of the chief minister, met at Sangma's residence late on Friday night and were understood to have pledged him 'unconditional support' to him. The dissident MLAs have been pressing the Congress High Command for nearly a month for a change of leadership as well as their inclusion in the ministry. Only six of total 28 Congress MLAs have found berths in Lapang's ministry. The ruling Congress alliance, sworn in last year after the fall of the NCP-led government, enjoys the support of 44 legislators -- 28 from Congress, 9 from UDP, two from Hill State Peoples Democratic Party, one from Khyun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and four Independents in a House of 60. (With PTI inputs)
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