By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The absence of Umroi Congress legislator Stanlywiss Rymbai from the swearing-in-ceremony is reminiscent of a similar incident which happened to the late Chief Minister, EK Mawlong who also represented the same constituency.
In July 1999, Mawlong who was the then Assembly Speaker was suddenly asked by former Chief Minister late BB Lyngdoh, who was heading the Meghalaya Parliamentary Forum government, to join his Cabinet as the second Deputy Chief Minister.
At that point of time, former Chief Minister DD Lapang was the other Deputy Chief Minister.
The proposal from Lyngdoh was made to Mawlong on the evening of July 21, 1999 when he (Mawlong) was away at his constituency.
Legislators at that time had rushed to Umroi to meet Mawlong to convey the Chief Minister’s decision to make him the Deputy Chief Minister.
Lyngdoh had also requested the then Governor MM Jacob to administer the oath of office and secrecy to Mawlong at the Raj Bhavan at 5pm on July 22, 1999.
Mawlong, who could have created another history as the state would, for the first time, have two deputy chief ministers, declined to accept the post. However, he did not remain absent from the swearing-in ceremony.
On the morning of July 22, 1999, Mawlong went to meet the Chief Minister at his residence and requested him to ask the Governor to call off the swearing-in ceremony as he was not inclined to take over as the second Deputy Chief Minister.
On Tuesday, Umroi constituency once again featured in the list, for right or wrong reasons, as the Congress legislator representing Umroi, Stanlywiss Rymbai chose to stay away from the swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhavan at 11am.
Rymbai, who would have taken the oath of office and secrecy for the first time as a cabinet minister, was supposed to have been sworn-in along with his party colleagues – AL Hek Shitlang Pale and Saleng A Sangma.
But with his refusal to be present at the swearing-in ceremony is another history created in politically-turbulent Meghalaya.
At the same time, many are asking Rymbai why he suddenly chose to remain absent leading to the embarrassment of Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma in full public view.