Shillong, Sep 16: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday brought in eight MLAs in the Cabinet while dropping sitting ministers, four of whom from his own party, the National People’s Party (NPP).
Timothy D Shira, Wailadmiki Shylla, Sosthenes Sohtun and Brening A Sangma of the NPP, Shanbor Shullai of the BJP, Metbah Lyngdoh and Lahkem Rymbui of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party’s (HSPDP) Methodius Dkhar were sworn in at a ceremony held in the Darbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan.
Governor C.H. Vijayashankar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers.
This is the first reshuffle in the cabinet by Conrad since he assumed charge for a second term in 2023.
Metbah had served as the Speaker in the previous assembly, while Shira stepped down as Deputy Speaker earlier this month. Rymbui, not new to the cabinet, was the Home Minister in the previous MDA government headed by Conrad.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, the Chief Minister explained the rationale behind the major cabinet reshuffle that brought in changes in key portfolios like Health, Power and Social Welfare.
Sangma said the reshuffle was guided by multiple factors, particularly coalition commitments and the need for regional representation.
“There was a very clear understanding with our coalition partners that I would respect their internal party decisions. Even though the NPP (the National People’s Party, which Sangma heads) now has a majority of 33 MLAs, we decided to stand by the commitments made in 2023. Despite the changing political scenario, we have honoured those commitments,” the CM stated.
He added that in some cases, coalition partners had prior agreements to change ministers midway, while in others, the decision followed internal party consultations. Within the NPP, he noted, the reshuffle aimed to ensure fair representation. “For example, North Garo Hills has four MLAs and Ri-Bhoi has four (NPP) out of five MLAs, so it was important that these districts also have representation in the cabinet,” he explained.
Asked about the absence of women in the new team, Sangma said women had representation in the first half of the term; Ampareen Lyngdoh was Health Minister, among other things, and her removal means that there is not a single woman in cabinet.
“In the second half (of the government’s term) we have given opportunities to other senior leaders who have stood by the party for a long time. Governance is about balance, and while there are always pluses and minuses, what matters most is commitment,” Sangma explained.
Regarding portfolio allocation, the list was expected to be sent to the Governor’s Secretariat by Tuesday night, with announcements likely by Wednesday noon.
Sangma further indicated that this would most likely be the only reshuffle of the term. “This is a midterm review. It is the right time to assess and push our agendas forward for the remaining two and a half years,” he said.
