Mukul Sangma sworn in as Meghalaya chief minister for second straight term

Mukul Sangma was today sworn in as the 23rd chief minister of Meghalaya with the state Governor administering the oath of office and secrecy to him at a grand ceremony in the Raj Bhawan here.

47-year-old Mukul, who led the Congress to a spectacular victory with 29 seats in the 60-member Assembly, just two short of a simple majority, became the chief minister for the second straight term.

He was administered the oath of office by Governor Ranjit Sekhar Mooshahary.

Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Sangma said, "Our focus will only be on development, development and development because the people of the state deserve it. It will be our sincere commitment...that whatever promises we have made shall be implemented in letter and spirit."

He said addressing the core issue of backwardness and poverty in the state would be the number one agenda of the new government.

Apart from 29 Congress MLAs, eight Independent candidates have assured of 'unconditional' support in the government formation. So has the NCP which has won two seats.

According to a top Congress functionary, Sangma has already finalised the list of ministers in consultation with AICC president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

From student leader to Meghalaya CM

A practising physician, Mukul Sangma was active in Congress politics right from his student days and rose to become a leader from the Garo Hills region soon after P A Sangma left the party in the 1990s.

Sangma led the Congress to win a record 29 seats in the 60-member House, though two short of a majority.

Over the years he served not only as deputy chief minister, but was also given some most important portfolios like home, finance, power and health.

Sangma joined active politics in 1993 after relinquishing service as medical and health officer at Zikzak PHC and was elected to the Assembly from Ampatigiri as an independent candidate to be appointed chairman of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation.

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