SHILLONG, March 2 – Deputy Chief Minister D D Lapang accompanied by Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), President S C Marak staked claim to form a new Congress-led coalition government in the State before the Governor M M Jacab here this evening. A beaming Lapang told newsmen at the Raj Bhawan soon after meeting the Governor that he had submitted ‘letters of suport’ from United Democratic Party (UDP), and the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP), which have 9 and 4 members respectively, to Jacob.
Three independents are also supporting the Congress taking the strength of the newly emerged coalition to 38 including 22 from Congress. UDP leaders including the party President and former Chief Minister E K Mawlong who accompanied Lapang and Marak at the meeting with the Governor, said ‘we decided to work with the Congress in an alliance to form a stable government that will last five years.’
Earlier this afternoon, Lapang was unanimously elected the CLP leader in the presence of the party’s Central Observers Pranab Mukjerjee, Oscar Fernandes and Assam MP B K Handique. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is likely to be held on March 4 after the joint Parliamentary parties of Congress, UDP, MNP and the three Independents formally elects Lapang as their leader tomorrow and the green signal is received from the Governor.