The UDP which held sway in the previous MDA-1 government has now been relegated to a minor player in the newly formed MDA-2 cabinet led by the NPP.
In the latest cabinet arrangement, UDP has been given only two ministerial berths despite having eleven MLAs.
Chief Minister designate Conrad Sangma today decided that his party, the NPP, will keep the lion’s share of eight out of twelve cabinet berths.
“Out of these twelve cabinet berths, four will be from Garo Hills region and eight will be from Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills region,” Sangma said.
The HSPDP and BJP will have one cabinet berth each. Since both parties have two MLAs each, their share in the cabinet is 50 per cent each.
However, the PDF which has two MLAs has been kept out of the ministry. In the MDA-1 government, the party has two ministers.
The portfolios of the new ministers will be distributed tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the meeting of the MDA-2.0 which met today to finalise the cabinet composition also passed a resolution within the party concerning the candidature for the Speaker’s post.
“NPP has proposed a name and entrusted me to speak to the rest of the coalition partners to formalise the name and once I speak to them and get their consent the name will be announced,” Sangma said.
The swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister will be held tomorrow at Raj Bhawan here at 11 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be attending the ceremony.
