IMPHAL, March 2: W Nipamacha Singh was on Thursday sworn in as chief minister of Manipur and will be the head of a 34-member two-tier coalition ministry. The swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for 10.45 am, was deferred till 3.30 pm following the chief minister designate's failure to submit the list of ministers. governor Ved Marwah administered the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers. Of the 34 members in the council of ministers, 23 are of cabinet rank and 11 are ministers of state. L Chandramani Singh will be the deputy chief minister while five ministers of state will hold independent charge. The 22 cabinet ministers' list includes L Chandramani Singh (deputy chief minister), H Lokhon Singh, Gangmumei Kamei, H Bidur, M Kunjo Singh, V Hangkhalian, L Tomba Singh, Y Jiten Singh, W Thoiba Singh, N Bihari Singh, Songchingkhup, Samuel Jendai, M Hemanta Singh, Gobindas Konthoujam, P Achou Singh, Biren Singh, S Rajen Singh, Bira, Haokholet Kipgen, Hanghkhanpao, Thangminlien Kipgen and H Sanayaima Singh. Except Achou Singh, Bira, Hangkhanpao, Haokholet Kipgen, N Sonayaima Singh, the rest were ministers in the previous United Front government. The ministers of state (independent charges) are S Bira Singh, L Bhagyachandra Singh, S Chandra, Allaudin and Khasim. The six ministers of state are A Biren Singh, Z Magaibou, M Chunskhosei, K Tomba Singh, Onjamang Haokip and W Leima Devi. (United News of India; The Asian Age; Guwahati; 3 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 2: The Manipur governor today swore in a 34-member United Front ministry, reportedly after rejecting it at first because it was too large. There were no Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members among chief minister W Nipamacha Singh's 23 cabinet ministers and 11 ministers of state, chosen from the 39 lawmakers who support the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) -led government. The MSCP bagged 22 berths. There are 58 lawmakers in the assembly now with results for 2 of its 60 seats still undeclared. L Chandramani Singh is deputy chief minister. Nipamacha said the speaker's post will go to his party colleague Dhananjoy who had been the MSCP's chief whip. Five of the ministers of state hold independent charge. W Leima Devi, wife of Rajya Sabha member W Angou Singh and the only woman member in the new assembly, and T Bira Singh, elder brother of Union minister T Chaoba, were among those sworn in. None of the BJP lawmakers turned up at the swearing-in. The party backed out of joining the ministry after its failure to elect a leader in the House and objections from party members. The ministry formation didn't go off smoothly with the governor, Ved Prakash Marwah, reportedly objecting to its size. The ceremony was scheduled for 10.45 a.m., but was postponed following a last-minute communiqué from the Raj Bhavan. The official reason cited by the Raj Bhavan was that it hadn't received the list of ministers. But insiders said the real reason was that the governor was unhappy that the ministry was so large. Marwah and Nipamacha had apparently agreed earlier that the size would be kept down to 22. When a list of 34 arrived, Raj Bhavan rejected it and sent it back, cancelling the swearing-in. At the end, however, Nipamacha had his way and Raj Bhavan reissued invitation cards, setting the time at 3.30 p.m. The chief minister, however, denied this version. He said his office had by mistake sent an unsigned list, causing a confusion. The error was later corrected. Who is to blame for the faux pas? The chief minister avoided a straight answer, saying Raj Bhavan should not have accepted the unsigned list. Nipamacha defended the strength of his ministry, saying the Nagaland and Mizoram ministries were about the same size. He didn't rule out further expansions. The governor chose not to comment. "How can I reveal to the press what happened between the chief minister and me?" Marwah didn't seem a happy man, though, swearing in the 34 members through a gruelling hour and 20 minutes. (Statesman News Service; The Statesman; Calcutta; 2 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 4 - The Khangabok constituency MLA Laishram Jatra, who got elected on a Manipur People's Party (MPP) ticket and joined the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) immediately after the election result was out, has been made the deputy chairman of the state planning board. In another development, N Zatawn, Janata Dal (U) MLA from Singhat constituency in Churachandpur district who defected to MSCP, has been given the post of government chief whip which is also of cabinet rank. The government has issued relevant orders for the two posts. Meanwhile, veteran Congress leader and five times chief minister Rishang Keishing has been chosen as pro tem speaker. The state governor Ved Marwah administered the oath of office at a ceremony this morning here at the Raj Bhawan. On the other hand, the newly constituted state cabinet led by the chief minister Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh in its first meeting decided to recommend the assembly secretariat to conduct the oath-taking ceremony of the 58 MLAs in the House on March 6. It is also learnt that the assembly session will begin from March 13. The new speaker of the House will also be elected in the morning session. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 5 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 5 - Manipur chief minister W Nipamacha Singh on Saturday allocated portfolios among the new ministers. According to a government notification, the chief minister will hold the charges of Confidencial and cabinet department, personnel and administrative reforms, home, planning and all others not mentioned elsewhere, while deputy chief minister Chandramani Singh will hold the charge of works. Portfolios of other cabinet ministers are : H Lokhon Singh - finance and excise and taxation; Gangmumei Kamei - forest and environment; H Bidur Singh - water supply; M Kunjo Singh - animal husbandry and information; V Hangkhalian - medical; I Tomba Singh - school education; Y Jiten Singh - industries; W Thoiba Singh - cooperation and art and culture; N Bihari Singh - rural development; Songchinkhup - social welfare; Sameual Jendai - tribal development; M Hemanta Singh - youth affairs and sport and Govindas Konthoujam - power. Portfolios of other cabinet minister are P Achou Singh - urban development; K Biren - flood control; S Rajen - agriculture; T Bira - revenue, Haokholet Kipgen - transport; Hangkhanpao - sericulture; Thangminlein Kipgen - horticulture and Sanayaima Singh - minor irrigation. The ministers of state (independent charges) are : S Bira Singh - fisheries; S Chandra Singh - family welfare; I Bhagrachandra Singh - higher education; M Allaudin - backward classes and Khasim Ruivah - tourism. The six ministers of state were A Biren Singh - agriculture; Mangaibou - works; M Chungkhosei - power; K Tomba Singh - flood control; Onjamang Haokip - water supply and W Leima Devi - school education. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 6 March, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 6: Meghalaya chief minister, BB Lyngdoh today stepped down from the leadership of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) paving way for the speaker EK Mawlong to take over as the new chief minister of the three-party coalition government. In a sudden but unexpected development this evening, the parliamentary party of the UDP accepted Lyngdoh's offer to step down from the posts of the Chairman and leader of the parliamentary party. The meeting then unanimously elected Mawlong the next leader. Inside sources, however, said that BB Lyngdoh was forced to step down from the leadership of the party in the meeting. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 7 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 7: Manipur will urge the Centre to accord the state the same facilities provided to Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland under provisions of the Articles 370 and 371 (a) of the Constitution, chief minister Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh has said. In a message to the public on the occasion of resumption of power by the ruling United Front after the recent elections, Nipamacha Singh said the state government would urge the Centre to provide more autonomy and political status to Manipur along the lines of Manipur state Constitution Act 1947 and standstill agreement of August 11, 1947. A copy of the message dated March 4 was issued to the press on Tuesday. Nipamacha Singh said the state government would also work for protection of Manipur territory and give priorities to development of roads, drinking water facilities, electricity and education. A commission to look into welfare schemes for women would also be set up, he said. The chief minister also said the state government would work for increase of Lok Sabha seats from two to three, construct playground for every village, implement Loktak fishing project scheme and protect environment and ecology. Senior BJP leader and former chief minister RK Dorendra Singh has been appointed as leader of the BJP Legislature Party in Manipur assembly. A statement issued by the party said BJP president, Kushabhau Thakre had nominated Dorendra Singh as leader of the BJP Legislature Party in Manipur assembly. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 8 March, 2000)

Shillong, March 8: Instability seems to have become the fate of Meghalaya politics as the fifth new combination headed by chief minister E.K. Mawlong took over the rein of power in the state here on Wednesday. In a span of two years, Mawlong became third chief minister of Meghalaya who heads the fifth political combination in the state. Governor MM Jacob administered the oath of office to the new chief minister with his jumbo 30-member council of ministers at Raj Bhavan. Chief minister Mawlong, who managed to replace BB Lyngdoh after the hectic political drama, expressed confidence that this formation would complete its term and fulfil the hopes and aspiration of the people. Rejecting the suggestion that he does not have experience of running the coalition government, Mawlong said, "The question of instability does not arise as all the coalition partners have supported the replacement of the leadership of the United Democratic Party. My government will complete its rest of the term in the office." He also refused to divulge the reasons behind the UDP legislature party's decision to ask Lyngdoh to step down as the party leader. Though, the ministers of the Mawlong camp were not sure that this was the last change in the Meghalaya politics. They said, "People have given the mandate for the coalition government and frequent changes in such a circumstances can not be ruled out." Talking to The Asian Age senior UDP minister Krymen Susungi said, "Let us see how our new leader runs the coalition. I am hopeful that he would be different from Lyngdoh." While rejecting that frequent changes in the government hampers the developmental works in the state Susungi said that it completely depends on the local MLAs. If MLAs are sincere to the developmental works, it would not be affected despite the change of the government, he added. He pointed out that chief minister Mawlong has no experience of holding the executive responsibility in the state in the past. Former chief minister BB Lyngdoh who is keeping his cards close to chest, said, "I decided to resign as majority of the UDP MLAs wanted me to resign." On his future course of action Lyngdoh indicated that he would meet the former Lok Sabha speaker and Nationalist Congress Party leader P.A. Sangma before taking any decision. Another minister in the coalition government from the NCP Adolph Lu Hitler told The Asian Age that they are least concerned about the change of the UDP leadership. (Manoj Anand; The Asian Age; New Delhi; 9 March, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 8: The topsy-turvy Meghalaya politics today witnessed the induction of the fifth ministry in the state since the assembly elections in February, 1998, the previous four averaging six months, each. Governor MM Jacob administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 29-member Council of Ministry headed by former speaker, EK Mawlong, at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhawan, which began half an hour behind schedule at 12 noon today. The sixty minute-long function finally brought down the curtain on the week-old leadership tussle between Mawlong and former chief minister, BB Lyngdoh, reputed as the 'wily old politician of the Northeastern Region'. It was on March 2 last that a pro-change group met to chalk out heir strategy to oust Lyngdoh. The first to be given the oath was Mawlong, wearing a traditional Khasi head gear 'jainspong', a shawl (Ryndia), 'paila' (necklace of gold and red coral beads). He was followed by twenty other ministers of cabinet rank and eight ministers of state. The only new face in the ministry was DP Iangjuh of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP). Two other ministers, health minister, Don Kupar Roy and housing minister, Biers Nongsiej, who were reported to be out of station, were the only ones from the previous Lyngdoh ministry not to find a place in the new ministry. The fresh swearing-in of the ministry was necessitated by the resignation submitted to the governor yesterday of the entire council of ministry by chief minister, BB Lyngdoh. But the erstwhile four-party coalition of the UDP, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), BJP and People's Democratic Movement (PDM) remains intact. The cabinet ministers sworn-in today are : HB Dan (UDP), MN Mukhim (UDP), TH Rangad (BJP), LA Sangma (NCP), Simon Siangshai (UDP), AH Scott Lyngdoh (UDP), Monindra Rava (NCP), SS Lyngdoh (UDP), Nimarson Momin (UDP), Kyrmen Susngi (UDP), Adolf-Lu-Hitler R Marak (NCP), FA Khonglam (NCP Associate), ED Marak (NCP), ON Chyrmang (UDP), Roshan Warjri (UDP), incidentally the only woman minister, M Suchiang (UDP), Admiral Sangma (NCP), Singh Mulieh (UDP), DP Iangjuh (UDP) and KC Momin (NCP associate). Later speaking to newsmen, the newly-appointed chief minister said "the change has come as per desire of all UDP MLAs and also the desire of Lyngdoh to hand over charges." "My priorities would be development in all spheres and peace and development", he said in response to queries. Mawlong expressed confidence that his ministry would last its term. The portfolios of the ministers are expected to be announced later tonight. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 9 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 8 - Sharp difference is apprehended between the coalition partner Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) and Federal Party of Manipur (FPM) following the allocation of ministerial berths to the legislator of FPM. All the elected MLAs of the FPM under the guidance of its president and forest minister Gangmumei Kamei met the chief minister Wahengbam Nipamacha to urge him to provide a state minister's berth to FPM MLA from the Tadubi assembly constituency K Raina, who happens to be the only MLA in the ruling coalition from the entire Senapati district of the state. Sources further revealed that the chief minister W Nipamacha also assured to provide a ministerial berth to K Raina instead of deputy speakership. It is said that K Raina might not be fit for the post of deputy speaker in the present context. Besides, most of the MLAs in the ruling coalition partners also expressed their willingness to select an experienced MLA to take care of the deputy speaker's post in the Manipur Legislative assembly. Apart from the initiatives taken up by the FPM, students of Senapati district reportedly decided to launch various forms of agitations in view of the non-allocation of a ministerial berth to the lone ruling MLA of FPM. It is learnt that until and unless a state minister's post is not given to K Raina, the FPM leaders are likely to take up certain steps against the coalition ministry. Talking to this correspondent, former Senapati District Students Association leader Denial said chief minister Nipamacha should induct representatives of Senapati as a minister in order to maintain integrity among the people. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 9 March, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 8: The swearing in of the new chief minister, EK Mawlong, as the head of the Meghalaya Parliamentary Forum ministry ends a five-day political impasse that saw the dramatic exist of septuagenarian leader, BB Lyngdoh. A 30-member coalition ministry, comprising the NCP, BJP, People's Democratic Movement and Hills state People's Democratic Party were administered the oath of secrecy by the governor, MM Jacob, at Raj Bhavan here today. The formation of a new MPF ministry was the culmination of a five-day drama when the members of the UDP revolted against the leadership of Lyngdoh for alleged non-functioning. The assembly speaker, Mawlong became the unanimous choice in the several closed door parleys that were held since Saturday, the proceedings of which were even kept away from the media. After initially resisting to lay down power, Lyngdoh had to bow down to the decision of his partymen and subsequently resigned from chief ministership yesterday. Mawlong immediately presented to the governor the decision of his party and was subsequently invited to form the new ministry with all but one from the Lyngdoh-led ministry and inducted one new face. The 78-year old Lyngdoh announced his wish to join national politics, but Mawlong, in an apparent bid to pacify his predecessor and stem any future revolt granted the five-time chief minister a cabinet rank and status equivalent to that of the chief minister. "The transition of power has been smooth and Lyngdoh has gracefully stepped down but we intend to utilise his political experience and follow his policies", Mawlong said immediately after the swearing-in ceremony. With the coalition partners not opposing the leadership of Mawlong, the taking over of the new chief minister, the seventh for the state, was smooth and Mawlong hoped that it would complete its full term. While denying that Lyngdoh had ever intended to join a national political party, Mawlong said he was in close touch with him and would accept any post allotted to him which would be of cabinet rank. Mawlong said the portfolios would be distributed later on, but analysts felt that there would not be a major change from the erstwhile government. The chief minister said his topmost priority would be to bring back the state on the path of development and bring back peace and security for its people. "It would be peace through development and vice versa", said a beaming and relieved Mawlong during an informal chat with reporters after the swearing-in. Following is the list of the new council of ministers led by Mawlong: EK Mawlong (chief minister), HB Dan, Martle Mukhim, TH Rangad, Lotsing A Sangma, Simon Siangshai, AH Scott Lyngdoh, M Rava, SS Lyngdoh, Nimarson M Momin, Kyrmen Susngi, Adolf Lu Hitler Marak, FA Khonglam, ED Marak, Oliver Chyrmang, Roshan Warjri, Mihsalan Suchiang, Admiral K Sangma, Sing Mulieh, DP Iangjuh, KC Momin. Ministers of state: Beckster K Sangma, RA Lyngdoh, Brening A Sangma, John Anthony Lyngdoh, PT Sawkmie, AL Hek, RL Tariang and Cyprian R Sangma. (Press Trust of India; The Indian Express; New Delhi; 9 March, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 9: Meghalaya chief minister EK Mawlong today allocated portfolios to his 29-member council of ministers without disturbing the portfolios most of them held in the earlier BB Lyngdoh ministry. Mawlong kept with himself cabinet Affairs, Political, Health, Law, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, but is likely to give up health when Donkupar Roy, who was out of station at the time of swearing-in is inducted onto the ministry. HB Dan of United Democratic Party, gets revenue, district council affairs and parliamentary affairs, while MN Mukhim also of UDP retains power and PWD (buildings). The important home (police) and education portfolios have again been entrusted to TH Rangad of BJP. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 10 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 9: Breakaway MLAs of Manipur People's Party (MPP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are likely to face disqualification proceedings under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution in case they forcibly 'merge' with the ruling Manipur State Congress Party. The MLAs are Laishram Jatra, Spam Chandra and Konsam Tomba of MPP and C Doungel, Thangmilien Kipgen, Allaudin and Onzamang Haokip of NCP. Under the provision of the Tenth Schedule they have to sit as unattached members. On March 4, the assembly secretariat has issued a bulletin on the party-wise position. According to the bulletin, there are four MPP and four NCP MLAs. Chief minister W Nipamacha Singh has already announced that these breakaway MLAs will be merged with MSCP. It was pregnant with political significance that all these MLAs gave their separate declaration certificates as MLAs of the MPP and NCP. In the meantime, the president of the MPP, O Joy Singh, while talking to the mediapersons has stated that disqualification proceedings under the provisions of the 10th Schedule will be taken up very soon against the three MPP MLAs who have left the party to join the United Front. O Joy Singh said that messages have already been sent to the Election Commission and the state assembly Secretary to treat the said MPP MLAs as unattached members. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 10 March, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 9: Outgoing chief minister BB Lyngdoh on Wednesday was appointed as the Chairman of the state Development Reforms Commission by the Meghalaya government. Lyngdoh, who was the chief minister till Tuesday, would now examine the ongoing developmental programmes from time to time with a view to determining whether such programmes achieved the desired goals. He would also examine the need for undertaking new programmes for accelerated development of the rural areas with particular emphasis on poverty alleviation. The government made it clear that it would equate the office of the Chairman state Development Reforms Commission in rank and status to that of Meghalaya chief minister. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 10 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 9: Breakaway Manipur People's Party (MPP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs are likely to face disqualification under the anti-defection law if they merge with the Manipur State Congress Party. The MPP president, O Joy Singh, the only MLA left in the party, said party's three legislators should be disqualified from assembly membership if they joined the MSCP. L Jatra Singh, S Chandra Singh and Konsam Tomba Singh, elected on MPP tickets, supported the MSCP-led United Front even before they were sworn in as MLAs. The four NCP MLAs also left the party and supported the UF before they were sworn in. The NCP state president, RK Nokulsana, alleged that the four had been abducted by the MSCP. He had lodged a complaint before the governor. The four had said they had come to the UF camp willingly. The MPP and the NCP have submitted to the assembly secretariat expulsion notices of the MLAs from primary membership of the parties. They took the step to pre-empt splits in the parties. MPP and NCP presidents contended that the MLAs who had supported the UF could not break away before the constitution of the 7th assembly and swearing-in. The seven MLAs were sworn in yesterday as members of their respective parties - MPP and NCP. O Joy Singh said that any move by the three MPP MLAs to merge with the MSCP would attract disqualification under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution since they had been expelled from party before they could split. Meanwhile, the breakaway MLAs, in their bid to avoid disqualification, have taken steps to form separate legislative groups. The three MPP breakaway MLAs are working out the possibility of forming a new group - MPP (K). Three NCP breakaway MLAs - Thangmilein Kipgen, Onjamang Haokip and Md Allaudin - are planning to form NCP (O) and the remaining MLA, C Doungel, is planning to form a single-member group - NCP (D). In this background, the first budget session of the 7th assembly, beginning from 13 March, is all set to be stormy. (Statesman News Service; The Statesman; Calcutta; 10 March, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 10: Going by history, the toughest challenge to the three-day-old EK Mawlong-led coalition government will be to complete the balance three years tenure since the 1998 assembly elections. Political instability and Meghalaya have virtually become synonymous with only two chief ministers -WA Sangma and SC Marak - completing one full term each since the birth of the state in 1972. The chain of five governments since the 1998 polls first began with a Congress-led coalition government headed by SC Marak but lasted only ten days. BB Lyngdoh stepped in to form the United Democratic Party-led non-Congress Opposition government. The 'hotch-potch' coalition somehow pulled on for four months when Lyngdoh dumped his coalition partners to form the third government by making a 'marriage of convenience' with an unlikely partner - the Congress. With the two biggest parties in the state, with the combined strength of 46 members in a House of 60, coming together it was the general expectation that the state would now see political stability. It was not to be. The Congress at the national level and the birth of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led to a similar split in Meghalaya. The regional UDP found it expedient to dump the Congress this time and forge a new four-party alliance with the NCP, BJP and the People's Democratic Movement (PDM), in October last year. Except for the first ten-day government, it was BB Lyngdoh who led the rest three governments during the last two years. A silent rebellion was slowly building up against the leadership of Lyngdoh from within the party for quite sometime but none had the guts to come out in the open against the 'master manipulator', several party leaders said. Ultimately senility which compelled Lyngdoh to hand over reins of administration to his "kitchen government" comprising his daughter, a businessman and a lawyer, proved to be his undoing. The rest is history. A senior UDP minister without accusing Lyngdoh with being senile, said "everyone should realise when it is time for one to gracefully step down." It was the unanimous decision of all UDP MLAs that a 'younger' person should take over the leadership, he added. However, none is willing to bet on the stability of the teacher-turned-politician Evansius Kek Mawlong-led government. The 54 year-old former speaker will have to step into the shoes of his former mentor and become a master manipulator himself so as to steer the five party coalition to the end of its terms till early 2003. The 39-member ruling coalition comprise 20 UDP members, 12 NCP, BJP and PDM three each and Hill State People's Democratic Party (M) one. Meghalaya planning minister and Legislature Party leader of NCP, LA Sangma was unwilling to bet on the longevity of the new government. "Small states always face bigger problems," he said citing the examples of Goa and Manipur. State finance minister, and senior UDP leader, AH Scott Lyngdoh remained non-committal but said "it is in the interest of the state that this government lasts its term." (Bedabrata Lahkar; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 11 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 11: Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) MLA and former chief whip of the Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh Ministry, Sapam Dhananjoy Singh, is all set to occupy the post of speaker in the Manipur Legislative assembly session which is scheduled to kick off on March 13. Dhananjoy Singh is ready to don the mantle of the speaker as other political parties have failed to nominate a rival candidate for the post. Filing of nominations for the post of speaker drew to a close on Friday afternoon. The pro tem speaker and veteran Congress leader Rishang Keishing will announce the name of Dhananjoy Singh as the speaker on March 13 at 11 am and the leader of the House and chief minister Nipamacha Singh and the Opposition leader-designate Congress MLA Radhabinod Koijam will escort the new speaker to his chair. The new speaker will conduct the proceedings of the state assembly session which will start from 2 pm of March 13. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 12 March, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 12: Nationalist Congress Party on Sunday extended full support and cooperation to the EK Mawlong-led Meghalaya Parliamentary Forum (MPF) coalition ministry, senior party leader Purna Sangma said. "I would like to spread the message that the NCP is standing firm in the coalition and extends full support to the United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and chief minister Mawlong," Sangma told a press conference here. The NCP has 15 members including its associate members in the UDP-led coalition which also has BJP as a partner. The former Lok Sabha speaker promised that the new government would provide good governance with top priorities to information technology, law and order and unemployment. On the law and order front, the Lok Sabha MP said, intelligence network has to be tightened and dialogue should be held with militants to solve the insurgency problem in the region. (Press Trust of India; The Indian Express; New Delhi; 13 March, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 13: S Dhananjay Singh was today unanimously elected as the speaker of seventh Manipur assembly on the opening day of the first session of the new House. His name was proposed by chief minister W Nipamacha Singh and seconded by L Bhagyachandra Singh. Singh was elected from Thongju constituency in Imphal East district on a Manipur State Congress Party ticket. The Opposition Congress, however did not field any candidate. The newly elected speaker was escorted to the chair by leader of the House and chief minister W Nipamacha Singh and CLP leader Radhabinod Koijam, among others. Both Nipamacha and Koijam hoped that the speaker would act impartially in the true spirit of the democracy. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 14 March, 2000)