Meghalaya Guv decision to make Lapang as CM challenged in SC

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Conard K Sangma, son of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, today challenged the appointment of D D Lapang as Chief Minister of Meghalaya in the Supreme Court.

Newly-elected NCP MLA Sangma sought directions from the court declaring the decision of Governor S S Sidhu, ignoring the claim of Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) having 31 MLAs in the House of total strength of 60 MLAs and inviting the leader of the single largest party, as unconstitutional and illegal.

According to the petitioner the decision of the governor to grant ten days time to Mr Lapang to prove his majority in the House was illegal and arbitrary as it had given him time to indulge in horse trading and other malpractices to survive the vote of confidence.

The petitioner also prayed to direct the governor to invite MPA leader Donkupar Roy to form the government.

MPA is a post-poll alliance of NCP, BJP, UDP and KHNWM.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice J M Panchal today fixed the matter for hearing tomorrow.

Mr Lapang was administered the oath of office of chief minister yesterday.

The petitioner contended that the governor was bound to invite the majority party or alliance to form a government as per Article 163 of the Constitution and could not exercise his discretion to defy the provisions of the Constitution by inviting the leader of the minority party or alliance to form the government.

UNI SC SW ND1928