According to the schedule prepared by the Business Advisory Committee of the House, only a day-long sitting of the Assembly would be held to facilitate the trial of strength as well as the election of the Speaker.
Lapang was sworn in chief minister for the fifth time on May 13 after Congress tied up with United Democratic Party (UDP), two months after the year-old NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) collapsed following withdrawal of support from two Independents, the lone MLA from Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and an NCP legislator.
The MPA was formed by NCP leader P A Sangma soon after the Assembly elections in March last year cobbling up the smaller parties to keep Congress away from power.
After the MPA collapsed, NCP, with 14 seats in the 60-member Assembly, and Congress, the single largest party with 26 seats, held negotiations to forge an alliance in the state. This, however, failed to materialize.
UDP, with nine seats in its kitty, was quick to extend its support to Congress, prompting Governor R S Mooshahary to invite the latter to form the government after two months of Presidents Rule. Lapang, heading the coalition, was given 15 days to prove the majority.
Two MLAs from Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP), four Independents and the lone KHNAM MLA all of whom were part of the MPA have also offered support to the Congress-led coalition taking its strength to 43 (Congress 26, Independents 5, UDP 9, HSPDP 2 and KHNAM 1).
Meanwhile, the trial of strength is likely to be presided over by deputy speaker Sanbor Shullai, an NCP MLA who deserted MPA and pledged support to Congress going against his party's whip. The election of the Speaker will also be held on Monday , Congress sources said.
The Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance has fielded senior Congress leader and former minister Charles Pyngrope as its candidate while the Opposition NCP has fielded John M Marak as its nominee.