Meghalaya CM quits Lok Sabha

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma resigned from the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after winning the South Tura Assembly by-election, paving the way for him to formally become a member of the state legislature.

Sangma, who is scheduled to take oath as an MLA on Wednesday, said he had submitted his resignation to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

The South Tura by-election was held after Agatha Sangma, Conrad's sister, vacated the seat to enable him to contest the election and meet the constitutional requirement of being an elected legislator.

Conrad Sangma, representing the National People's Party (NPP), defeated Congress candidate Charlotte W. Momin by 8,421 votes in a four-cornered contest.

Sangma had taken oath as Meghalaya's 12th Chief Minister on March 6 despite not being an elected member of the 60-seat Assembly. His victory in the by-election now clears the way for him to continue as Chief Minister while serving as a member of the state legislature.

The NPP-led government was formed after regional parties including the United Democratic Party (UDP), People's Democratic Party and Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) extended their support to the NPP. Their support came with the understanding that Conrad Sangma would lead the government.

The Chief Minister is the youngest son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A. Sangma, who had also served as Meghalaya Chief Minister for a brief period.

Conrad Sangma's transition from Parliament to the Meghalaya Assembly marks an important step in consolidating his position as the head of the state government following the Assembly election and the subsequent formation of the coalition government.