The 55-day-old President’s rule in Meghalaya will be revoked on Wednesday with the installation of a Congress- led coalition Government, minus the NCP, to be headed by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader D D Lapang. The Congress is set to form a Government along with the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Independent legislators. Earlier, Congress-NCP talks of forming a ruling combination failed as the parties could not reach an understanding over ministerial berths.

Meghalaya Governor R S Mooshahary said on Tuesday the Lapang-led coalition Government would be sworn in on Wednesday after a notification was issued revoking the Central rule.

On Tuesday morning, Lapang accompanied by UDP president and former chief minister Donkupar Roy met Mooshahary and formally staked claim to form a Congress-led coalition Government. He also submitted a written agreement of support from the UDP to Mooshahary.

The Congress with 26 legislators has the support of nine UDP and two Independent legislators. In an Assembly with an effective strength of 56 legislators, the Congress-led coalition will have the support of 37 legislators. Four of the legislators had been disqualified by Meghalaya Speaker Bindo M Lanong. They have challenged their disqualification in the Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High Court.

The decision to form a coalition Government with the UDP was taken by the Congress after discussions over sharing of ministerial berths with the NCP failed. The Congress high command had earlier sewed up an understanding with the NCP for forming a Government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held a meeting with NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Purno A Sangma in Delhi and had almost finalised forming a Congress-NCP ruling coalition.

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