The United Democratic Party (UDP) dropped an internal bombshell on the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government by today demanding that under-fire Power Minister James Sangma is replaced.
In a briefly worded letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who is James’ younger brother, UDP General Secretary Jemino Mawthoh said, “In view of the ongoing serious financial bankruptcy and other financial and administrative mismanagement in the Power Department, plunging the state into an unprecedented power shutdown, affecting the normal life in the state in general, the UDP urges your good office to kindly relieve the Power Minister and the current CMD (Chairman and Managing Director) of MeECL (Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd) from their current positions with immediate effect.”
The letter was dated today. The UDP is a key ally of the MDA, though James is from the National People’s Party.
UDP leaders had met today to discuss the issue, with district party leaders reportedly furious by the current round of load shedding in the state.
If James is removed from the Power Department, it would be the second portfolio that he has lost, having earlier been shuffled out of the Home Department.
Besides the load shedding, James has been under fire after leaks by Power Department staff concerning various contracts entered into by the department and MeECL, which detractors claim were not above board.
