Prestone to be sworn-in today
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Former GAD Minister Prestone Tynsong, who was axed from the Cabinet a few months ago along with three others after they unsuccessfully revolted against Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, will be re-inducted into the ministry on Tuesday to fill up the 12th position.
Tynsong will be sworn in at Raj Bhavan at 4.30 pm, a Raj Bhavan source said here.
Meanwhile confirming Tynsong’s re-induction, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said, “I have got the clearance and Tynsong will fill up the vacancy.”
When asked why Tynsong was taken back into his Cabinet despite demanding his ouster, the Chief Minister said, ”We are choosing from among the equals but it’s my prerogative to choose. My job is to carry everybody together.”
The decision to re-induct Tynsong was taken after discussion with senior Congress leaders including DD Lapang, the Chef Minister said adding “We want to serve the people so we will be together”.
On the demand of the dissidents to convene a CLP to discuss the leadership issue, Dr Sangma said “CLP is the forum for discussing various issues concerning the state”.
Re-induction of Tynsong into the Cabinet is part of the mega patch-up deal between the dissidents and the loyalists reached at the mediation of the party high command when the anti-leadership move reached its peak a few weeks back.
The idea was to work together by bringing back unity among the Congressmen to face the next assembly polls as desired by Sonia Gandhi who refused any change of leadership, the sources said.
Tynsong’s re-entry into the Cabinet was not that easy despite the patch up deal, since the dissidents had demanded taking back all the four dropped ministers.
The demand was, however, snubbed by the AICC and the Chief Minister.
It may be mentioned here Tynsong was dropped along with FW Momin, Augustine Marak and F S Cajee for demanding Dr Sangma’s ouster as Chief Minister.
Rymbai not upset: Meanwhile, Umroi Congress legislator Stanly Wiss Rymbai has said that he is not upset over the decision of Chief Minister to re-induct Tynsong.
Rymbai, whose name figured in the list of the new ministers who took oath on June 7, could not attend the swearing-in ceremony due to ill-health.
“There is nothing to be upset. I was supposed to join the Cabinet but due to my illness I missed the opportunity. I respect the decision of the Chief Minister,” Rymbai said here on Monday.
He, however, said he would get another chance to join the Cabinet.
When asked whether he would attend the swearing-in-ceremony on Tuesday, he said it all depended on his meeting with the people of his constituency.
“On every Monday and Tuesday I meet the people of my constituency,” he added.