Shillong: D D Lapang, chairman of the newly-formed 40-member Meghalaya Democratic
Alliance (MDA), will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Meghalaya on March 4 evening.
Raj Bhavan sources said Governor M M Jacob on March 4 invited Lapang to form the new
government.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at 16:00 hours (IST) on March 4, the sources
said.
The 40-member MDA, formed last on March 3 night, comprises Congress (22), United
Democratic Party (9), Meghalaya Democratic Party (4), Khun Hynniewtrep National
Awakening Movement (2) and independents (3).
Lapang, who staked his claim for forming government on March 2, is the Congress
Legislature party leader.
The Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), which has two Legislators, has
expressed its willingness to join the MDA, but the party MLAs did not figure in the
list submitted by Lapang to the Governor.
HSPDP Legislature party leader and outgoing Chief Minister Dr F A Khonglam said that
the MDA partners were reluctant to take his party MLAs into their fold.
''They did not want us and the coalition partners may have raised objection to the
HSPDP joining the government," he said.
He also said his party would discuss the future course of action on March
4.
Lapang said on March 3 that the HSPDP offer was under consideration.
PTI
