DD Lapang to be sworn in as Meghalaya CM

New Delhi, May 12 (ANI): The Congress party stitched an alliance with regional outfit UDP following failure of talks with the NCP to form the government in Meghalaya.

Senior Congress leader DD Lapang will be sworn in on Wednesday as Chief Minister of Meghalaya.

Lapang, who arrived at Shillong from New Delhi on Tuesday morning, called on Governor R S Mooshary and enclosed a letter of support from the UDP and independent MLA Donkupar Massar, taking the tally of the alliance to 37 members in the 60-member Assembly.

The Meghalaya United Alliance (led by Congress) has got the majority for formation and continuation of a viable government after coming of UDP to its fold, Lapang said.

"We have signed an agreement before the Governor pledging our support to the Congress. The new government will be sworn in tomorrow. We have been given two berths in the cabinet," UDP president and former Chief Minister Donkupar Roy told reporters.

As per the agreement the UDP will get a deputy chief ministership and a cabinet berth.

There was no official word from the Congress, but party insiders said "unreasonable demands" by the NCP like five berths and opposition from a good chunk of state Congress members prompted the party to align with the UDP. (ANI)