CM sworn in as new South Tura MLA

SHILLONG, SEPT 5: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today sworn in as newly elected MLA of South Tura even as assuring that his six-month old government is prepared to take on the challenges.

Conrad was elected in the bye-election held on August 23, by defeating his closest rival from the opposition Congress Charlotte W Momin by a margin of 8,421 votes.

The oath was administered to new South Tura MLA by the Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy at his office chamber in the city here on Wednesday, a day after he resigned as Tura MP.

The ceremony was also attended by Congress leader and opposition chief whip Process T Sawkmie besides MDA ministers and leaders.

Conrad is leading the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government which would also complete six months tomorrow.

The MDA, which is having a total strength of 39 in the 60-member Assembly, comprised of the NPP (20), United Democratic Party (7), People’s Democratic Front (4), BJP (2), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (2), Nationalist Congress Party (1) and three Independents.

Speaking to reporters, Conrad said that he was very excited in getting the opportunity to serve the people of South Tura even as he added that he is aware that the responsibilities are very different when it comes to MP and MLA.

Stating that he is also committed as a chief minister, he said, “I don’t feel much of a difference whether it is adhoc chief minister or regular chief minister my commitment was always 100 per cent to the works that I was doing and I will continue to do the same way.”

Asked on the challenges faced by the MDA government in the last six months, the chief minister admitted that they did have challenges in term of taking over the system and it did take sometimes for them to really get into the system or momentum of work.

“However, it wasn’t challenging as it was part of the process I should say. But I am happy to say that things have really smoothened up in the last six months and we are very much now in a proper momentum to work,” he said.

Pointing out at the financial difficulities that the state is facing, Conrad said that he knows that the coming months and years are going to be critical and crucial for the government.

According to him, there are lots of schemes that were pending and lots of areas and works that needed to be completed.

“We have given more or less good direction to the priority areas that are important to us and I think policies have shaped up in those lines. Lot of focus have come in those areas which we have given importance to and we hope to continue that and be more aggressive and ensure there is more of monitoring in term of the implementation that is taking place,” he said.

Conrad further informed that a lot of reviews have been done on the various schemes and he intended to intensify the visits to the different districts and blocks to ensure schemes are being implemented and development reaches to the concerned people.

Also admitting that running a coalition government is not easy, the chief minister said, “It is always a challenge and it will continue to be a challenge in the future but I am thankful to the partners as they are focus and very understanding on the policies we are taking up.”

Regarding common minimum programme, he informed that the draft have been circulated to all political parties. “A committee has been formed on this and yes it is a large coaltion and it requires us to communicate with everyone even if a party has a single member but they are equal partners,” he said. According to him, the delay was due to the bye-elections held in the state.

By Our Reporter