Shillong, Sep 24: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today made it categorically clear that he has no ambition of becoming the Chief Minister while also rejecting calls for leadership to be decided on ethnic lines.
When asked about demands from certain quarters for a Khasi or Jaintia CM, Tynsong said such debates should not be communalised. “Why should we communalise things? As long as the person is an MLA of Meghalaya, I don’t mind who the chief minister is. What matters is ensuring the development and interests of the state are intact,” he said.
Recently, the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) called on the CM to relinquish his seat in favour of one of his two Deputy CMs in order to maintain the principle of balance and fairness, which he cited when making sweeping changes to the cabinet.
On being asked if he personally wished to be CM, Tynsong replied firmly, “No, I don’t. I don’t.”
He also dismissed speculation of rifts within the ruling National People’s Party (NPP). “There’s no scratch in the NPP family. I don’t even call it a political party, I call it an NPP family. Unlike other parties – I remember when I was in Congress – there’s constant infighting. But in NPP, there is none,” he said.
Addressing dissatisfaction over the recent cabinet reshuffle, Tynsong said such changes are common. “Reshuffling takes place every now and then, across India. This is the prerogative of the Chief Minister, and we respect that. For coalition partners too, it is up to their parties whom they want to induct or drop,” he explained.
While acknowledging that those dropped from the cabinet may feel disappointed, Tynsong said the decisions were ultimately taken in the larger interest of the state. “Of course, those who became victims of the reshuffling will have sad feelings, but I’m sure whatever decision was taken, whether by the party or the chief minister, it is for the benefit of Meghalaya as a whole,” he said.
