Shillong: Veteran legislator and former tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh on Monday was sworn-in as the 12th cabinet minister in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA)-2.0 govt, led by CM Conrad K Sangma.Rejoining the cabinet this time as a fresh member of the National People’s Party (NPP), which he recently joined after deserting the United Democratic Party (UDP), Paul, who represents the 18 West Shillong Constituency, was sworn in by governer CH Vijayashakar at the Lok Bhavan, Shillong.CM Conrad Sangma, who is also national president of the ruling NPP, which now commands an absolute majority of 36 in the 60-member Meghalaya legislative assembly, was present along with his two deputies Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar, other cabinet ministers and MLAs of NPP and alliance partners to witness the swearing-in-ceremony.Paul, along with legislators Renikton L Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh had left the UDP to join ranks with the NPP on Oct 28.Earlier on Sept 23, eight UDP legislators, including cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui, alongside Kyrmen Shylla, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem, and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah had merged with the BJP, raising the party strength from two to one and positioning it as the number two in the assembly.UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh, who was left as the lone party legislator, resigned from the cabinet on Oct 31.Both the BJP and UDP are constituents of the NPP-led MDA govt.
