Nothing unconstitutional in Meghalaya govt formation: Congress

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The Congress today said there was nothing unconstitutional about the entire process that led to the appointment of Party leader D D Lapang as Chief Minister in Meghalaya.

"The Congress was the single largest party after the assembly elections in Meghalaya last week. There a no pre-poll alliance.

Therefore, the Governor in his wisdom has invited the single largest party to form the government," AICC Spokesman Manish Tiwari told mediapersons here. A sserting that Dr Lapang would prove his majority in the state assembly, he said that "floor test is the only logical conclusion under such circumstances." Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to hear on an urgent basis the petition of the post-poll alliance of the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) challenging the appointment of Dr Lapang as Chief Minister before the trial of strength on the floor of the House.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justices R V Raveendran and Dalveer Bhandari turned down the request of senior counsel Soli J Sorabjee for hearing the matter tomorrow and fixed March 24 for hearing the case.

Dr Lapang was sworn in as Chief Minister by Governor S S Sidhu on March 10 and has been given 19 days to prove his majority on the floor of the House, which means the trial of strength must take place on or before March 20.

UNI SH MSJ RN1836