Shillong, Sep 21: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has requested Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to extend the principle of balance and inclusivity and relinquish his seat as head of government in favour of one of his Khasi-Jaintia ministers.
This past week eight ministers were dropped in a midterm cabinet reshuffle, with the CM stating that it was, in part, carried out in order to give legislators from less-represented areas a seat at the table.
Taking this argument further, HITO has suggested that the time is ripe for the post of Chief Minister to also be rotated. The pressure group pointed out that four of the highest constitutional positions in the state – CM, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker and Deputy Speaker – are all held by members of the Garo community.
HITO’s letter was couched in politeness but the implication was clear – it wants Sangma to go.
HITO stated that experienced legislators from Khasi-Jaintia Hills, like the two Deputy CMs – Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar – and newly-inducted minister (and former Speaker) Metbah Lyngdoh are capable and experienced enough to take on the top job.
It cited a past instance of this in Meghalaya, when, in 1988, the CM’s late father Purno A Sangma, agreed to a 50-50 power sharing agreement with the late BB Lyngdoh.
“…none of the outgoing ministers were accused of misconduct, corruption or inefficiency. Their removal was purely to accommodate others. By the same reasoning, fairness demands that the Chief Minister too should not be beyond the principle of rotational responsibility,” HITO said.
