FA Khonglam: Only indepent MLA to become CM in India

With a distinction of being the only independent MLA to occupy the CM?s office anywhere in the country, Dr Flinder Anderson Khonglam is today known more for his survival instincts in Meghalaya.

With a distinction of being the only independent MLA to occupy the CM’s office anywhere in the country, Dr Flinder Anderson Khonglam is today known more for his survival instincts in Meghalaya. He has decided to contest the polls once again as an independent this time.

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A stoic and determined politician, he has not only emerged as a coalition expert but also a master of the art of tightrope walking in a delicately balanced political situation, if the crises he successfully faced during his very short tenure as CM so far are to go by.

Leader of the ruling 42-member coalition 'Peoples Forum of Meghalaya' (PFM), Dr Flinder Anderson Khonglam became Meghalaya Chief Minister on December 8, 2001, the third since 1998 polls.

A former NCP minister in the Mawlong ministry and a loyalist of NCP national general secretary PA Sangma, he is embroiled in many controversies and corruption charges.

While Kolkata Meghalaya House scam was the excuse for the fall of EA Mawlong govt, Khonglam had also come close to losing power so many times, particularly following the row over his allowing the online lottery.

His govt signed the online lottery deal with controversial Congress MP Mani Kumar Subba’s MS Associates was accused of selecting Subba’s firm without floating any tenders. He, however, successfully overcame the crisis by sacking General Administration Department Minister DP Iangjuh of his ally Meghalaya Democratic Party.