E. K. Mawlong

Evansius Kek Mawlong (1 February 1946 – 18 October 2008) was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 8 March 2000, until 8 December 2001.

[4] Mawlong then began his professional career as a teacher in St. Dominic Savio High School, Shillong, working from 1968 until June 1971.

[1] Mawlong left the HSPDP in September 1997 and was the founder and main architect in the formation of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

[1] Under his leadership, the UDP emerged victorious with 20 seats in the 1998 Assembly General Elections, which was the largest number mustered by any regional party after the dissolution of the All People Hill's Leaders Conference (APHLC).

[1] Facing huge pressure especially from the Khasi Students' Union and the People's Rally Against Corruption (PRAC), Mawlong cancelled the agreement with the then Asian Housing Corporation Limited (AHCL).

However, after his resignation as Chief Minister, the subsequent Government allotted the construction to the same company (AHCL) at four times the initial cost.

[6] To clear his name from the corruption allegations, Mawlong filed a Writ Petition in the Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High Court.

[1] He defeated incumbent Congress Party MLA Stanlywiss Rymbai, the same person who had ousted Mawlong from office in the 2003 election.

[2] Mawlong was well known for his unique vision, integrity, easy access, humility and patience which earned him affection of his friends, well wishers and supporters.

His long tenure as the representative of Umroi was entirely due to his effort in bringing huge infrastructural, medical and developmental activities in his constituency.

[11] He also took strong initiatives to kickstart the processes for construction of the National Highway Shillong By Pass, Myntdu-Leshka Hydel Project and North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Medical Sciences.

His pet project as Chief Minister was the road linkage from Lad Umroi - Mawlasnai to Diphu in Assam with financial assistance from the North Eastern Council which gave a lifeline to the people living in the disputed Block II area.

He stayed in New Delhi for two long weeks in order to convince the Ministry of Home Affairs to clear the Papal visit.

After a hard-fought debate with its officials, Mawlong convinced the Ministry of Home Affairs to allow the Pope to visit Shillong.