Three ministers sworn in l Tynsong, Cajee, Momin, Augustine dropped
SHILLONG: In an unprecedented incident, Umroi Congress legislator Stanlywiss Rymbai who was to be sworn in on Tuesday failed to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.
A chair with the name of the two-time Umroi legislator tagged to it near the dais of the Durbar Hall at Raj Bhavan, became the centre of attraction at the swearing-in ceremony.
Chief Secretary WMS Pariat, who conducted the proceedings, refrained from calling out Rymbai’s name which was third in the order of seniority.
Perhaps, this is for the first time in the history of a politically-unstable Meghalaya that a minister-designate chose to remain absent from a swearing-in ceremony.
The oath taking ceremony which was to start at 11 am, started ten minutes late due to the confusion about Rymbai.
Rymbai was among the four Congress legislators to be sworn in alongside AL Hek, Saleng A Sangma and Shitlang Pale in the major Cabinet reshuffle effected by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
BJP-turned-Congress legislator Hek and Saleng who had joined the bandwagon for the removal of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma took oath along with Dr Sangma’s loyalist Pale.
Meanwhile, sources revealed that Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh had gone all the way to Rymbai’s house in Umroi to convince him to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
However, the legislator refused to attend claming that he was not well. As a result, the Home Minister too could not make it to the ceremony.
AICC general secretary in-charge of the State, Dhaniram Shandil and his deputy Sanjay Bapna had also made a call to Rymbai. They asked him why he had not attended the swearing-in ceremony to which Rymbai replied that he was unwell, sources said.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Rymbai was prevented by some members of his constituency from attending the ceremony.
The legislator was seen in Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s residence in Nongrim Hills till late night on Monday.
When contacted, Rymbai maintained that his absence was due to illness. “I am suffering from influenza and am unable to get up from my bed to go to Raj Bhavan,” he said while also informing that his supporters who were supposed to accompany him to the ceremony had arrived at his house very early in the morning.
Rymbai also informed that he had communicated to the Raj Bhavan his inability to attend the swearing-in function. “I have also told the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma about this. I am hopeful that I would be sworn in shortly, ” Rymbai added.
Meanwhile, Dr Mukul Sangma also maintained that Rymbai had officially informed the Raj Bhavan that he was unwell.
While Hek was sworn in for the fourth time as minister, it would be the third time for Pale to take over as minister. Saleng one of the youngest legislators was sworn in for first time.
Saleng, representing Dalamgiri constituency in West Garo Hills, refused to talk to the press when asked to comment about his induction. His body language suggested that he was uncomfortable with the new role. “I am very tense now as I am under pressure from both sides (dissidents and conformists). If you don’t mind, I do not want to talk to you (reporters) at present,” a visibly upset Saleng said after the swearing-in ceremony.
The legislator was also not seen to mingle with the audience at the refreshment hall and chose to confine himself to a corner.
AL Hek, who was first elected in 1998 and represents Pynthorumkhrah constituency, said he agreed to join the Sangma Cabinet to end the current stalemate within the CLP. “I also want to provide stability to the government,” he said.
Dr Sangma on his arrival from New Delhi had officially announced the names of Hek, Rymbai, Saleng and Pale for the swearing-in. The absence of Rymbai from the swearing ceremony was seen as an embarrassment to the Chief Minister and his loyalists.
The Chief Minister axed his four detractors – PHE Minister Prestone Tynsong, Urban Affairs Minister Founder S Cajee, Rural Development Minister FW Momin and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Augustine D Marak.
Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary administered the oath of office and secrecy to the three ministers.
In attendance at the swearing-in ceremony was the Leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma, ministers, MLAs, officers and other dignitaries. But many senior Congress legislators including Deputy Chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh, former Chief Minister DD Lapang were missing from the action.
The Chief Minister’s closest aide Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh missed the function while Assembly Speaker, Charles Pyngrope failed to attend.