By IANS,
Shillong: Former Meghalaya chief minister D.D. Lapang was Friday appointed chief adviser of the five-party coalition government. He will enjoy the rank and status of a chief minister but without the powers and statutory functions that go with the post.
Mukul M. Sangma, who replaced Lapang April 20, appointed his predecessor as the chief adviser through an official notification issued Friday.
“Lapang will enjoy the facilities and perks entitled to the chief minister with effect from the date of taking over,” the notification said.
Source closes to the chief minister hinted that former chief ministers – J.D. Rymbai and Donkupar Roy (both of the United Democratic Party, a constituent of the ruling Congress-led coalition) – as well as senior Congress legislator Friday Lyngdoh would also retain their rank and status of chief minister.
Sangma is expected to give “independent charge” to some parliamentary secretaries over some plum departments.
Sangma’s move to give “independent charge” was aimed to pacify the disgruntled Congress legislators who could not be accomodated in the 12-member cabinet.
Ever since the 91st amendment to the Constitution came into force, Meghalaya can have only 12 ministers in the cabinet, including the chief minister.
In the past, the state government appointed most of its ruling MLAs as parliamentary secretaries to assist ministers, but Sangma decided that some senior legislators would be given “independent charge” over some departments in order to prevent political instability.
Political instability is not new to Meghalaya – the state has already seen three governments since the March 2008 election.
Lapang quit as chief minister Monday after he failed to meet the demands of rebel Congress legislators to drop Independent legislators and the lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement member from the 12-member cabinet.
The rebels had sought induction of senior Congress legislators in their place. When Lapang failed to do so, the rebels pressed for his removal.
Mukul M. Sangma who replaces Lapang, is Meghalaya’s 21st chief minister in 39 years and the fourth in a little over two years.
There have been just two occasions when a chief minister has completed the full five-year term since Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972.
In the present 60-member legislature, the Congress has 28 legislators and enjoys the support of nine United Democratic Party (UDP) members. The NCP, the main opposition, has 15 legislators.