Newly-elected legislator of the National People’s Party (NPP) from Selsella constituency, Ferlin C.A Sangma took oath as a member of the 10th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Speaker Dr Donkupar Roy administered the oath to Sangma in his office chamber at the Assembly Secretariat, Khyndai Lad in presence of deputy speaker Timothy D. Shira and NPP legislators.
Not a single minister of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government was present.
Also read: Newly elected Selsella legislator Ferlin to take oath on Wednesday
In the just-concluded byelection to Selsella Assembly constituency held on April 11, the result of which was declared on May 23, Sangma won by a margin of 4,369 votes defeating Congress candidate June Eliana R. Marak.
The byelection to Selsella Assembly constituency was held to fill up the seat which remained vacant after the death of sitting Congress MLA and former minister Clement R Marak, the husband of June Eliana.
Ferlin got 15,781 votes and June got 11,412 votes.
The NPP has emerged as the single largest party in the 60-member Assembly after wresting the Selsella Assembly seat from the Congress.
The NPP is leading the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government under the leadership of chief minister Conrad K. Sangma.
“Road communication and education sectors are my priorities. In all respect, there is nothing in Selsella and it is tough and challenging for me now to start everything. But I am ready to take up the challenge and in within these four years, I am hoping that I can do something for the people in the constituency in particular and the state in general,” the newly elected MLA said.
Sangma added the strength of women legislators to four in the 60-member Assembly.
Ferlin is the lone woman legislator from the ruling MDA coalition while opposition Congress has three women MLAs – Ampareen Lyngdoh (East Shillong), Dikkanchi D. Shira (Mahendraganj) and her daughter Miani D. Shira (Ampati).